Catani claim top two spot after big win
Division 2: By Joel Batson
Catani has secured a top two finish, safeguarding them against inclement weather next week with a win that resigned Iona to sixth place on the ladder.
Defending an imposing 7-273, the Blues weren't troubled, although an opening stand from Mick Neilson (39) and Wade Haysom (32) threatened to upset the Catani bowling attack early.
Josh Bethune (4-27) put an end to this, and for the rest of the innings the Swamp Tigers barely provided a whimper- as they were all out for 176 and their premiership hopes were dashed with a crushing defeat.Drouin
Drouin has locked in top-spot to give themselves pole position at a title defense, dominating a young Warragul side to secure the minor premiership.
Paul Timewell found form with the ball that was reminiscent of the mid 2000's- the ruthless medium-pacer bowling a marathon spell, claiming 5-47 as only Anthony Wilkes (52*) and Nathan MacFarlane (43) provided any resistance in the Gulls pursuit of 278.
The Hawks put their experience to good use, but also had the likes of premiership player Regan Hodge (2-24) at their disposal, as they crushed Warragul's improbable finals dream, dominating all day to remove Warragul for 148.
Garfield-Tynong has finished their season on a high, completing a nervy chase over Hallora away from home on the weekend to secure their first victory of the season.
Chasing 157, the Kangas' received contributions from several batsmen, namely Jamez Reeve (32), Archer Burgmann (29) and Anthony Hart (28), as the game swayed back and forth until the eventual climax.
Brayden Notman (2-12) and Tom Kent (226) kept the match tight, eventually reducing the Titans to 8-150, however Reeve and Gerald Shields (4*) managed to nudge the home side to a win, eventually finishing their innings on 9-184 to spark celebrations from the Titan camp.
Western Park has secured a last gasp finals berth, catapulted by the supreme hitting of superstar Jack Barnes to see them into the top four.
Chasing 100 for victory, Jason Batson (16) got the ball rolling for the Warriors, before Jack Barnes took over, the hard-hitting right-hander taking the attack to the Jumping Jacks, bursting out of his cocoon to crash six huge sixes on his way to 61.
The likes of Dave Burn (31) provided solid support for Barnes, as Western Park made 9167as Greg Interlandi (4-17) and Jordan Smith (2-31) fought hard and provided productive spells' to finish their respective seasons.
Longwarry have entered the finals with a bang, an all-around performance providing the basis for a destructive performance against Ellinbank.
Chasing just 85 for victory, Justin McCleary (0) fell last week, but Yashan Samarsinghe (72) and Randall Mitchell (63) were on hand to clean up the mess, the pair adding 123 to decimate Ellinbank, whilst giving themselves form to build on next week.
The pair pushed the Crows to 5-164 before they declared in search of outright, as Jeremy Gray (3-66) provided the only highlights for the Eagles. In reply, the away side decided to bat out the remaining overs, making 0-9 before both sides decided enough was enough and ended proceedings.