Titans firm as team to beat
Division 5
Garfield/Tynong has firmed as the team to beat after a crushing outright win over Yarragon at the weekend.
Western Park has drawn first blood in it’s return to the home of cricket with an easy win over Drouin while Jindivick have triumphed in a dour encounter with Buln Buln.
Titans take 10 points
Garfield/Tynong 8/193 (dec) def Yarragon 10/84 and 10/104
Garfield/Tynong sit four points clear at the top of the division five ladder after securing an outright win over Yarragon.
Resuming at 6/110 the Titans quickly raced away to a 109-run lead with Ray Evans (32) and Jason Ridler (59) leading the charge.
Michael Stead (having snared 5/54 on day one) was the sole wicket taker, finishing with the fantastic figures of 7/67.
Sent in to bat a second time the Panthers were in trouble early with their top order struggling to reach double figures.
Clint Pinney (38) was the only man to offer any resistance as the wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Eventually the visitor was routed just shy of the target required to make the Titans bat again.
James Francs struck with the new ball to finish with 3/18 while Jacob Lorimer chipped in with 2/13.
Thrilling contest
Jindivick 7/208 def Buln Buln 10/205 Jindivick has run out victor in a thrilling contest at Buln Buln.
Set a challenging target the Jumping Jacks made it to stumps on day one unscathed finishing on 0/17.
Thomas Park (2/40) struck early when play resumed before Jamie Lehman (25) and Dave Wagner (26) steadied for the visitor.
At 4/70 it was shaping up to be a close finish and when the fifth wicket fell at 96 it was game on.
Ash Zinnow (44) took control at this stage and combined with Dean Swinburne to add 56 to the total, bringing the visitor within site of victory.
Jeff McBride (in his first outing for Jindivick) took the reigns and his even half-century was enough to get his side across the line.
Brian Dennison toiled hard snaring 2/39 to be the other multiple wicket taker.
Big win for Warriors
Western Park 7/241 def Drouin 10/118 Western Park have taken the points in their first match on what is now the clubs’ second oval.
Requiring a further 116 for victory with nine wickets in hand, day two started disastrously for the home side with Dave Winfield run out for just four.
A handy 41-run stand got the Warriors back on track and at 3/46 the home side were looking comfortable.
Adam Johnson (45) joined Kristian Thompson (86) and together the pair safely guided their side to victory.
Their partnership of 110 runs was punctuated by some aggressive shots through the on side with Thompson clearing the fence on two occasions.
With plenty of overs remaining after tea, Chris Wettenhall (a career best 47) and Elliot Kennedy (a run-a-ball 22) enjoyed the freedom to play their natural game as the home side finished the day on a high note.
Cameron Caddy (2/39) was the pick of the bowlers along with fellow junior Sam Graziotin (despite not getting a wicket) who battled tirelessly to finish with 0/24 off 13 overs.
Kym Osseweyer chimed in late in the day to finish with 2/10.