Longwarry move game clear Division 4
Longwarry remain undefeated and are a game clear at the top of the ladder as Warragul District cricket moves into the two-day phase of the season.
Longwarry openers Randall Mitchell (35) and Sam Butler (38) made the most of being sent in to bat, getting their side off to a great start in the match against Yarragon.
Aaron Thomas (37) kept the scoreboard ticking over along with skipper Ian Peterson, who top scored with 40. At the completion of 40 overs the Crows posted a very handy total of 218.
Wickets were evenly spread with four bowlers claiming two apiece. Jacklyn Borsato returned the best figures with 2/24 off eight overs.
In reply Yarragon lost both openers cheaply before John Malacarne and Michael Stead combined to add 81 for the third wicket.
Stead was the man to go with 32 while Malacarne continued to work hard to finish the day unbeaten on 51.
A late cameo from Dave Butterworth (18*) saw the Panthers finish the allotted overs at 4/134.
Aaron Thomas capped off a good day taking 1/15 off eight overs with the new cherry while Peter Haxell was unlucky not to claim a scalp, his eight over spell going for a miserly 13 runs.
Drouin in nail biter
Drouin 8/154 def Garfield/Tynong 6/149 Drouin’s batsmen were able to hold their nerve in a nail-biting contest that saw them pass Garfield-Tynong’s total in the final over.
Chasing 150 the Hawks were in a precarious position at 5/55 but a middle order fight back from Ben McCarty (30) and Gavin Mills (38*) brought them within sight of the target.
A couple of quick wickets gave the Titans a real sniff but the home side were able to hang on for the win finishing with 8/154.
Youngster Gerard Shields was the pick of the bowlers with 3/20 off eight overs. He was ably supported by Riley Matthews who claimed 2/28.
Earlier in the day a timely captains knock of 60 from Ray Evans and a valuable 46 to Craig Cousin helped the visitors reach a defendable target of 6/149.
Julian Wainwright proved hard to get away snaring 3/19 off seven overs.
Jindivick easy winners
Jindivick 2/116 def Warragul 9/110 Warragul’s Neville Dyt spared his side from embarrassment battling through most of the innings to notch up 74.
Flynn O’Reilly (18*) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as the Gulls finished nine down for 110.
Shane Hoskins was the best of the bowlers with 3/24 from his eight overs.
In an unusual turn of events Jumping Jacks skipper Mick Dixon combined with wicketkeeper Aaron Larkman to produce three run outs in almost identical fashion.
Jindivick responded with an emphatic 84 run opening stand between Dixon (29) and Nick Bagnall (52*).
The win came at a price for all-rounder Jase Eastham however when he tore a rib muscle smashing one back over the bowlers head.
Gritty win for Hallora
Hallora 7/77 def Buln Buln 73 Buln Buln continued their run of low scores, this time being routed by Hallora for just 73.
Openers Stuart Marriot (14) and Rob Park (29) started well as did John Rowe (11) who was the only other batsman to reach double figures.
Brian McDonald gave away less than a run an over collecting four scalps on his way to 4/4 from five overs with two maidens.
Ross Donoghue and Owen Williams chipped in with two wickets each.
Hallora’s batsmen also struggled to get going and regular wickets kept the Lyrebirds in the contest.
Stuart Kendall (15) offered some resistance while Chris Youngman hung in valiantly as the wickets fell around him to top score with 23 not out.
After 32 overs and the loss of seven wickets the Kangas eventually came out on top.
Sam Langford was the best of the bowlers taking 3/12 off eight overs with three maidens, while Jack Nuttall chimed in with 2/11 off five.