Flying Fawcett skittles Hallora
Hallora 21 & 4/97 v Neerim District 76
An insane day of cricket at Hallora has seen Neerim take the first-innings victory over Hallora, but with either an outright or reverse-outright almost assured next week, the game is still well and truly alive.
Bowling first on a wicket with spice, Dane Fawcett ran rampant with the new ball, claiming Damon Healy, Fraser Duncan, and Craig Byrnes for ducks. Toby Bayne then joined in the fun, claiming the scalps of in-form youngsters Jai Newcombe (4) and Aidan Phillips (0) to have the Kangas’ reeling at 5-6 within the first few overs.
The procession of batsmen didn’t stop there. After a brief partnership of 10, Dave Macdermid (3) fell, before Natsai M’Shangwe (4) and Brett Williams (8) were the final of Fawcett’s scalps, as he had to settle for the incredible figures of 6-4, a testament to the fast bowler’s fierce form.
Bayne (4-16) cleaned up the final two wickets, removing Hallora for just 21, a score so low it may not be repeated for a decade, as the shock of the season was witnessed under overcast skies at Hallora.
After batting just 13.5 overs, Hallora needed something special with the ball and, despite giving up first-innings points early as Nathan Bayne (17) made sure of the result, the Kangas’ fought to stay in the overall picture.
The Stags’ batsmen followed the way of Hallora’s, struggling to garner any momentum as they slipped to 6-45. Natsai M’Shangwe (316) was looking as dangerous as ever, whilst Tom Williams (2-17) bowled tirelessly.
Troy Clarke (18) and Dave Ferguson (15) combined for a partnership of 31 to increase the lead, but an incredible one over spell from James Williams (3-0), resigned Neerim to being all out for 76.
With 23 overs remaining, Hallora made a much better fist of the batting effort the second time around. With nothing to lose, Fraser Duncan (38) and Damon Healy (19) came out firing, the pair blasting the ball around to claw back ahead. A late fightback from Dane Fawcett (3-43), which saw him finish with nine wickets for the day, saw Hallora finish 4-97 and 42 ahead, leaving multiple possibilities in play for next week.
Warragul 211 v Ellinbank 0/1
A sensational century from coach Matt Wakefield has seen Warragul gain a slight edge in their match against Ellinbank on the weekend.
After being sent in away from home, the Gulls’ would have been hoping for a strong start, however, Chris Perry (3-44) was on-song early, reducing the away side to 2-30. Wakefield was supported by a bevy of starts in the middle-order, as Tim Norton (29), Patrick Mulqueen (15) and Josh Wright (15) pushed the scoreboard along as Wakefield stroked a gluttony of boundaries.
The classy right-hander batted at a brisk pace, as he continued his love affair with the Ellinbank ground, striking 15 balls to the fence as he made an outstanding 101 to seemingly put Warragul ahead in the game. With the score on 4-183 he was finally dismissed, as Warragul prepared to launch- however, Ben Spicer (3-34) and Jack Pandolfo (2-7) wrenched the Eagles back into the game. The pair combined with great effect, as Warragul lost 6-28 to fall to 211 all out, a score that seemed well short of what they may have achieved. In reply, with four overs to get through, Matt Farthing and Chris Perry survived to set up an intriguing chase next week.
Drouin8/239 v Yarragon 2/24
Drouin bounced back from a poor fortnight to take full ascendancy of their clash with Yarragon on the weekend.
The third team in the division to be sent in under the bowler-friendly conditions, Drouin would make the visitors pay for their decision with a strong batting performance. After opener Brad Glover (2) was removed early, Sam Van Der Zalm (41) and Alex Gaudion (33) combined for a 76-run stand that would set the tone for the day.
Both were dismissed in quick succession by Tom Martin (2-41) to seemingly give the Panthers some hope but this was soon snuffed out by more consistent partnerships.
Next to contribute were Cam McPhan (28) and Trevor Gardiner (28) who used their experience to good effect. Laytten Smith (3-54) had the ball talking through the middle phase of the innings, as did Ruwan Perera (2-60) but both were expensive as Jack McConville (27*), Jake Harper (23) and Troy Lehman (22) rallied to push the score to 8-239 before a surprise declaration came from the Hawks with 11 overs left in the day.
This decision was vindicated, as Troy Lehman and Simon Gardiner each took scalps to leave Yarragon 2-24, with danger-man Gamini Kumara (14*) requiring a big innings next week to see his side home.
Western Park 233 v Buln Buln
A rare, consistent batting performance from Western Park has seen them to a strong position in their clash with a plucky Buln outfit.
Batting first on a pitch that offered plenty for both bat and ball, Ricky McKerrow (3-31) was at his miserly best with the new ball, bowling tirelessly and never erring from a strong line and length to have the Warriors in a spot of bother early. Jack Armour (24), Leigh Diston (23) and Sanjaya Gangodawila (17) got starts but fell, as the Warriors slipped to 4-81.
Joel Batson and Jack Barnes (14) rebuilt the innings, as they prodded along as the game fell into a stalemate. Brent Eastwell (1-55) took the scalp of Barnes, as the game shifted pace with Jason Croft (26) taking the attack back to the Lyrebird bowlers, wrenching back momentum for the Warriors before he fell after a 48run stand.
Batson was forced to ramp it up slightly as wickets and overs-dwindled, as the game threatened to shift either way.
He found support from the tail as a bevy of small to medium partnerships crept the score forward against the likes of Brad Monson (236), with Batson (104*) grinding throughout the day to make a maiden A Grade century, as Western Park eventually fell for 233, giving Buln a hefty chase to think about this week.