Rain wins the day in Div 1

Neerim District 140 drew Drouin 8/113

In a round where most games ended in uneventful draws due to the inclement weather, Neerim District and Drouin played out the game of the weekend, as both sides shared the points in a thriller.

Chasing 140, Drouin set about trying to put themselves in a position to win the game quickly to avoid the impending rain.

Jake Harper (25) set the tone early but had very little support from the top of the order, as Ben Lockett (4-42) returned to superb form with the ball, as he demolished the brittle Drouin batting line-up with ease.

As the Hawks crumbled to 5-66 and with a batsman retired, Drouin went into survival mode for the most part as former coach Sam Van Der Zalm (31) looked to keep his side afloat and salvage something from the match.

With regular wickets falling, courtesy of another brilliant Dane Fawcett (3-34) performance, the Drouin tail stuck fat, as the rain eventually with only 48 overs possible in the day as Drouin finished on 8-113, giving both sides three crucial points in the context of the season.

Ellinbank 9/280 drew Buln Buln 2/91 An uneventful day at Ellinbank saw Buln Buln bat for the draw. Chasing 280, it became clear when play resumed in the middle of the afternoon that the Lyrebirds would be content with playing for the three points as 80 overs would not be bowled, and so they did.

Despite the early loss of Ricky McKerrow (1), Corey Jagoe (21) found some form in the middle, as he supported Wilson Pollock (48*), as they and Brent Eastwell (17*) ensured nothing crazy would happen in the day. The Eagles toiled hard for 42 overs, but wickets were hard to come by, and stumps was called with Buln 2-91.

Hallora 6/129 drew Yarragon 208

Hallora suffered a scare against Yarragon, but ultimately were able to make it four draws from four matches in the top division this weekend.

Resuming on 0-43 chasing 208, a win seemed unlikely for Hallora, but the proposition became impossible as they suffered a horror start to the day. Fraser Duncan (15) was the first to be dismissed, before Brett Williams and Natsai M’Shangwe followed soon after for ducks, as Ruwan Perera (2-16) continued to cause havoc with the ball.

Dave Macdermid (5) had no luck and when Damon Healy (34) and Aidan Phillips (3) fell, the Kangas were suddenly 6-76 and slipping badly. Gamini Kumara (3-39) wound back the clock with the ball, as the Panthers’ suddenly sniffed blood, however, Jai Newcombe was able to valiantly fight off defeat, whilst scoring at a rapid rate in the process.

The hard-hitting right-hander ensured a loss was impossible before going on the attack, making a quickfire 58 not out to push Hallora to 129 before stumps was called and the two clubs shook hands.

Warragul 100 drew Western Park 2/9

Called off without a ball bowled in week two.

Drouin’s Sam Van Der Zalm played a pivotal innings for his side, making 31 to make sure they escaped with a draw on Saturday afternoon.

After some preparation, Neerim District’s Kody Wilson and his team give the indication they are ready to play on Saturday against Drouin.

Warragul’s Justin McCleary was hoping to bowl in the overcast conditions as he inspects the pitch at Eastern Park, but in the end, the match was called off.

Neerim’s Ben Lockett was on song with the ball on Saturday, taking 4/42 as his side almost claimed victory in the rain affected match.