Yarragon score big upset over Buln Buln
Division 1
By Sam Laffy Yarragon (5-136) def. Buln (113)
In the first big upset of season 2015/16, Yarragon have defeated Buln by 23 runs with Gamini Kumara once again playing a starring role.
Up against a strong Lyrebirds outfit, Gamini was once again thrust into the action early on with Jeff Walsh and Paul Black claiming early wickets.
Thankfully for the Panthers, Kumara found invaluable support from Laytten Smith (18) and Sam Cougle (12*) and fought back against the Buln change bowlers.
Only four boundaries were struck off his bat, but Kumara nonetheless was in imperious form.
Striking his fourth half-century of the summer he lifted Yarragon to 5-136 at the end of their 40 overs.
In reply, Corey Jagoe was on fire early with a well-struck 27 but a middle order collapse of 4-4 saw the Lyrebirds in a precarious position with Joel Kilday (2-13) and Kumara (2-19) in fine form.
Jeff Walsh and Bryce Monahan did their level best to rescue the innings but they simply couldn’t keep the momentum going and Buln found themselves dismissed for 113 in the 36th over.
Hallora flex muscle
Hallora (3-211) def. Neerim District (138)
Hallora once again flexed their muscles and kept their unbeaten streak to season 2015/16 going with a big 73-run win over Neerim District on their home turf.
The win was established on the back of some dominant batting from Mark Cooper and Ryan Williams, with the pair’s 152 run opening stand demoralising Neerim’s bowlers.
Cooper’s season-best 87* and Williams’ aggressive 62 set up the Kangaroos total of 3-211 and a score of that magnitude was simply too much for an outclassed Neerim line-up.
Nathan Bayne did his best to resist with a fighting half-century and Bailey George chimed in with 29 but against James Williams (4-20) and Hugo Whitlock (a tight five-over opening spell), these knocks weren’t enough.
In the 38th over they found themselves bundled out for 138, their fourth loss of the season.
Parkers’ form returns
Western Park (167) def. Ellinbank (51)
Having displayed indifferent form in the opening few rounds, Western Park returned to form with a crushing 116run win over a gallant but ultimately outclassed Ellinbank.
Having posted a strong total of 167 for the Bankers to chase - a total set up thanks to a patient 46 from Jake Bargwanna and a 39-ball 43 to Sam Russell - the Warriors bowlers were simply too good for Ellinbank.
With Sam Batson delivering a seriously quick opening spell to reduce the Bankers 3-6, the constant pressure applied with the ball ensured wickets fell at a regular rate.
Ryan Hendy was particularly devastating with a spell of 4-3, with only Michael Pandolfo (18) and Cam Lyon (14) able to make it double-digits as Ellinbank were bowled out for just 51.
With Amila Weththasinghe no longer joining the club due to visa restraints, it is hoped that Ellinbank’s youngsters will be able to rebuild from this loss and again display some of their encouraging form from the first few rounds.
Drouin overpower
Drouin (7-210) def. Bunyip (99) Drouin overpowered Bunyip in their division one clash on the weekend, with a series of batting cameos proving too much for the Bulls to overcome.
Jordan Wyatt was again in fine form with an aggressive innings of 42 from first drop, and Trevor Gardiner (36*) and Dale Weller (42) carried on the momentum and lifted the Hawks to 6-210 from their 40 overs.
Tyler Constantine claimed his first division one wicket of the summer on his way to 3-32 in an effort to reign in the run-rate, but Drouin’s batsmen were still able to overcome.
Sam Whibley (33) and Tom Papley (19) began the chase strongly but the consistent approach from Drouin’s bowlers proved too much for the middle and lower order.
Simon Gardiner (4-22) put a final full stop in the Bunyip innings with a hat-trick and after just 23.5 overs they were all out for 99.