Titans emerge likely to snatch berth
Division 2
Garfield-Tynong (8-260) vs. Hallora:
With the winner of the Garfield-Tynong and Hallora clash making the top four, the intensity and pressure of the contest was immense on Saturday – and it was the Titans who emerged looking likely to snatch fourth spot after posting an imposing total against the Kangaroos.
The Garfield-Tynong total of 8260 was built on the back of another stunning knock from Tate Burgmann, although the Titans captain would no doubt have been dismayed to depart on 99 – lured into a false stroke by Mark Phillips within a single of what would have been a much-deserved century.
Nonetheless, Burgmann’s partnership with Cam Riley (who struck a brilliant 78) ensured that for much of the day the Kangaroos were on the back foot.
Phillips snared 2-56 to be the pick of the bowlers, although Steven Fox’s haul of 2-88 from 26 overs again highlighted his impressive late-season form.
Michael Harrison chimed in with 3-50 to ensure the lower order couldn’t completely put Hallora out of the game, although they will still be facing a stiff chase in order to keep their finals dream alive next weekend.
McMillan scores ton
Bunyip (9-236) vs. Jindivick: A maiden century to Tyler McMillan has handed Bunyip the upper hand in their top-of-thetable clash, with the Jumping Jacks facing a difficult chase on day two of their encounter.
With Luke Bartlett missing from the Jindivick line-up, the usual venom with the new-ball was lacking somewhat, and Jared Morris was able to take full toll at the top of the order, striking 60 to help Bunyip to overcome the early loss of Harry McConnell and Dan Clebney.
However, despite his best efforts the likes of Caleb Boswell (2-50), Shannon Mitchell (2-75) and Harry Moore (2-50) delivered enough balls in the right spot to have the scoreboard reading 7-115.
With a low total on the cards, McMillan played possibly his bestever knock, rescuing the innings and well and truly taking the wind out of Jindivick’s sails.
Finding able support from Tyler Constantine (who made 18 from number nine), McMillan counterattacked convincingly, overcoming the slow Jindivick outfield to punish the bowlers.
In a perfectly-timed knock he reached his century in the last over of the day, finishing 102* as Bunyip posted 9-236.
Stags fight back
Neerim District (9-198) vs. Western Park:
A stunning lower order fightback from Neerim District has put them in the box-seat against Western Park, with the Stags overcoming a top-order collapse to post a challenging target for their opponents to chase next weekend.
On the back of some superb bowling from Dave Burn and Jason Batson, Neerim District’s top order failed dismally, and at one stage the scoreboard read 311.
Burn in particular was extracting considerable bounce and movement off the seam with the newball, while Batson’s stump-tostump approach was also causing difficulties.
Jack Salan (27) and Jamie Gleeson (20) did their best to reignite the innings, but at 7-98 Neerim District looked unlikely to reach even 150.
However, Billy Whyte had other ideas and his excellent 58 boosted the score late in the day, with Tom Parker (19) and Marc Tymkin (29*) along for the ride.
Together they lifted the Stags to 9-198 at stumps – a total far greater than expected at the start of the day. Batson (4-38) and Burn (2-29) were the pick of the bowlers for Western Park.
Hopes dashed
Warragul (178) vs. Drouin: Any hopes Drouin had of claiming an easy win over Warragul in their round 14 clash were emphatically put to bed, with the Gulls forcing their opponents to toil in the field for the entire afternoon.
It was Wil Cole who starred for Warragul – with a superb 61 at the top of the order – and his patience and willingness to accumulate runs through disciplined strokeplay meant that the Hawks had to work extremely hard for their wickets.
Paul Timewell (who snared 4-34 from 25.1 overs) applied constant pressure, and Jackson Caddy (230) and Gavin Mills (2-30) were also effective, but wickets were tough to come by as Warragul’s batsmen fought doggedly.
Elliott Lovejoy’s run of form continued to quickly disappear – as he was removed for nought by Timewell – and Cam Lyon also failed to score, but Nathan Macfarlane (16*) and Paddy Mulqueen (23) did enough to boost the Gulls total to 178 before they were dismissed in the 70th over.