Under 16s through to GCL final
Warragul and District have secured a place in the under 16 Gippsland Cricket League final following a thrilling tie and victory in the final round played at Mirboo North on Sunday.
Playing game two and three of a T20 triple header, the Wild Dogs played out a thrilling tie against Leongatha and District before accounting for Latrobe Valley to secure a place in the final.
Asked to bowl first in their match against Leongatha and District, the Wild Dogs were able to restrict their opposition to 9/120 despite conceding a half-century to Leongatha captain Josh Williams.
Wickets were shared for the Wild Dogs in a disciplined effort, with Liam Serong, Matthew Garner and Brayden Notman each collecting two wickets.
Chris Diston held the Wild Dogs together in reply with 29 from 41 balls as wickets fell around him.
Liam Lenders smashed 38 from 35 balls with five fours to keep the run chase on track as some late hitting from Alex Henshall and Liam Serong took the Wild Dogs to the brink. Unfortunately a direct hit found Serong short on the final ball as the Wild Dogs had to settle for sharing the points.
Needing victory in the final match to stave off a challenge from Bairnsdale, the Wild Dogs bowlers delivered in the final match against Latrobe Valley.
Lenders continued his strong form with an unbeaten 55 from 50 balls (six fours and a six), while support from Henshall (21) and Liam Serong (a-run-a-ball 20) helped push Warragul to 4/120.
Jacob Kleeven led the way with the ball, snaring 3/5 from three overs, Nic Caddy collected 2/15 while Liam Serong (1/6) and Henshall (1/9 from four overs) helped the Wild Dogs restrict Latrobe Valley to 7/75.
Warragul and District will meet Sale-Maffra in the final at W H Burrage Reserve, Newborough on February 10.
Meanwhile, Warragul and District will aim to keep its season alive in the under 18s with a T20 double header at Traralgon South on Sunday.
The under 18s will also play Leongatha and District and Latrobe Valley in its final matches.
The Wild Dogs enter in the box seat to claim its place in the final, one game clear of rivals Bairnsdale and Latrobe Valley.
Already out of final contention, the senior team will play its final match against Latrobe Valley at Maryvale on February 3.
Buln fall short of Cup
Buln Buln has fallen agonisingly short in its bid to claim the Kookaburra Cup on Sunday, going down to Morwell by just five runs.
Batting first in the T20 match, Morwell scored 3/109 from their allotted 20 overs. Brendan Brincat top scored with 36 while Rob Webber scored 30* from the opening position. Corey Jagoe took 2/17 for Buln Buln. Buln Buln kept pace in a tight chase, entering the 19th over at 4/90 before finishing short at 7/104.
Corey Jagoe with 49 completed a great double. Brent Eastwell with 23 was also amongst it.
Brincat collected 2/16 to earn man of the match honours for the home side.
Formely known as the Premier Cup, the Kookaburra Cup competition takes the two most successful teams in one-day cricket from across all Gippsland Associations to play off for the bragging rights as the best one-day team in Gippsland.