Gulls overcome nervy collapse
Division 2
Warragul 159 def Ellinbank 148 Warragul has their top order to thank for their first victory of the year, overcoming a nervy late collapse to topple Ellinbank at the weekend.
Resuming on 0-10 chasing 148, Warragul lost their coach Brian Christenson early, however Nathan MacFarlane (12) and Paddy Mulqueen (21) steadied ship.
A couple of quick wickets left the Gulls teetering on 3-50, before Matthew Bow (27) and Josh Wright (54) seemingly put the game to bed with a mature 82-run stand which brought their side within 17 of victory.
However Michael Pandolfo (5-28) and Jaxon Notman (2-18) had other ideas, causing a late collapse which almost derailed victory for Warragul before a few lusty blows snuck the away side over the line for a famous victory, eventually falling for 159 to end the day.
Iona complete boilover
Iona 172 def Garfield-Tynong 167 Iona have completed the boilover over the league leaders Garfield-Tynong, completing a thrilling five-run victory at home.
Defending 172, early wickets to last week’s hero Wade Haysom (2-57) put the Titans in a precarious position early, before AKV Tyronne (65) continued his fantastic form with a sensational 65 which threatened to take the game away from Iona. With wickets falling at the other end as Sam Accardi (4-46) and Shannon Hayhow (2-21) caused carnage, Tyronne showed his poise, however once Luke Ferguson (1-23) removed him, the collapse seemed inevitable for the brittle lowerorder.
Pete Davidson (31*) showed vintage form to keep the Titans alive, however he couldn’t keep the strike for long enough and Accardi finished the job to secure victory.
Young Crows star
Longwarry 142 def Hallora 103 A pair of Longwarry young stars has secured a sensational victory over Hallora.
Defending a seemingly under-par 142, Dom Pullen (4-23) caused an early collapse before Jai Serong (49*) and Steve Fox (17) steadied ship to leave the Kangas 4-91 at the mid-way point.
However once Fox was removed off the bowling of Zac Wright (5-20), Hallora had no answers for the young star as he and Pullen cleaned up the remaining wickets for just 12 runs to almost single-handedly secure victory for the Crows.
In the end, Hallora were all out shortly after tea for 103, and Longwarry took six points home in their quest for a surprising finals berth.
Hawks continue trend
Western Park 132 def by Drouin 8/135 Drouin has continued the trend of the round, sneaking over the line for a thrilling victory and becoming the first winners on arch rivals Western Park’s new oval.
Chasing 132, and with just 100 to get after a solid opening stand, Drouin suffered an early scare as Dave Burn (3-40) and Jason Batson (315) used their suddenly aged-ball with affect to undo the Hawks top order.
However captain Justin Van der Zalm used his experience to hold the innings together, as Drouin’s young middle and lower order struggled.
The Hawks took advantage of the slowerbowlers on a slow deck to edge closer to victory, as Van der Zalm (55) hit boundaries with relative ease until he and Regan Hodge were removed in quick succession late in the innings.
Thankfully Logan Starc held his nerve against Dave Burn and Drouin crossed the line with just two wickets in hand to claim a crucial victory.