Healy hundred guides Hallora
A magnificent effort from new man Damon Healy and stalwart Aidan Phillips has seen Hallora climb out of a hole to dominate the day against Buln Buln.
Winning the toss and batting on the runfriendly ground, the Kangas were rocked early, as they collapsed to 5-69 as Ricky McKerrow and Sam Reid used their guile and skill to great effect. Healy was the only constant through this, batting superbly, showing why he is sorely missed at Drouin with a monumentally important innings. Once Phillips joined him at the crease, things started to brighten up for the away side and with a lack of strike bowler to claim either wicket, the Lyrebirds struggled to contain the wildfire of runs that exploded post-tea.
Healy struck nine boundaries and three towering sixes, as he burst through the centurymark, his first, on his way to a brilliant 117 before falling to Brad Monson (3-82).
With the score on 208, Phillips was given the license to expand his game and he obliged, getting to 80 and in sight of a maiden ton before being cruelly run out.
A late collapse bought upon by McKerrow (3-35) saw Hallora all out for 257, however, they will be very pleased with their efforts as it will take a titanic effort from the home side to claim victory next week.
Warragul 0/38 v Drouin 165
In their return match to the WDCA’s highestgrade after eight seasons in the wilderness, Warragul has put themselves in the box-seat to shock rivals Drouin.
After Drouin won the toss and elected to bat, the Gulls struck early through Tim Whitten, but a steady stream of partnerships followed, as the Hawks built around new man Aaron Paxton who made a brisk 58.
Trevor Gardiner continued his solid start to the season with a well-made 28, however a familiar sight for the premiers of two seasons ago became apparent once again, as a collapse of 7-49 left Drouin all-out for 165.
For the home side, Whitten (3-9) provided the spark with the new ball, showing his improvement and capability to make the step up in class, whilst new figures Cam Ludowyke (3-25) and Justin McCleary (2-44) provided much-needed experience to an extremely young bowling attack, as Warragul began to believe.
With 12 awkward overs to face before the end of play, coach Matt Wakefield (19*) and Tyler Constantine (15*), continued the team’s momentum through to the end, chipping away with an unbeaten 38-run stand which may prove pivotal next week.
Yarragon 119 v Ellinbank 0/38
A superb bowling performance from Sean Masterson has seen Ellinbank take significant steps towards victory over Yarragon.
With Yarragon winning the toss and batting on a lush outfield, the Panthers struggled to score early as Chris Perry (2-29) put the squeeze on with the new ball. The Eagles’ (as well as the rest of the WDCA’s) kryptonite Gamini Kumara surged with a counter-attacking knock, however the Panther’s soft underbelly and lack of depth proved costly, as only Jake Borsato (17) hung around to make any meaningful contribution to the innings.
Masterson (5-28) went ballistic with the old ball, as he and Jack Pandolfo (2-6) stole the show for the away side, the pair snaring the last six wickets for just 15 runs, as Yarragon were all out for a meagre 119.
In reply, the Eagles pulled no punches, sending out guns Troy Ferguson and Ben Spicer and the pair reached stumps without losing a wicket, cleaning up 38 of the required runs to leave Ellinbank with an extremely manageable chase next week.
Neerim District 50 v Western Park 7/84 A crazy day of cricket at the Drouin Rec Reserve has seen Western Park claim firstinnings points after almost snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Bowling first, Neerim’s batsmen came and went in the blink of an eye, as Sam Batson ran absolutely riot with the ball, decimating the stumps on numerous occasions in a devastating spell. The premier quick in the league claimed 7-15 in a wild opening couple of hours, as the District batsmen, apart from Kody Wilson (21) and a defiant Aaron Fawcett (12) were left seemingly helpless.
Harry Wans (2-7) continued his strong form with another quality display, as Western Park knocked over Neerim for just 50.
In the second half of the day, any hopes of an easy victory for the Warriors were dashed by their equally as devastating opposition as a mighty collapse, spurred by vicious bowling from Dane Fawcett (4-29), saw Western Park slip to 7-48, desperately trying to sneak over the line as only Sanjaya Gangodawila (20) provided any respite.
Thankfully for the away side, Jason Croft (24*) and Zane Harper (16*) were able to keep a cool head and see Western Park over the line before batting out the day to finish at 7-84, with potentially more points on the line next week for either side.