Race for finals becomes clearer
An unpredictable and thrilling season of division one cricket continued at the weekend as the race to the finals became much clearer.
With three sides (Western Park, Ellinbank and Buln Buln) finally stamping their ticket, four sides in Drouin, Hallora, Yarragon and Neerim District, will battle it out for the final place in the four as only the wooden spoon is set heading into the climax of an unforgettable regular season.
Bankers book ticket
Hallora 163 def by Ellinbank 178 Ellinbank has punched their ticket to the finals with a thrilling chase over Hallora.
Resuming on 1-44 chasing 163, Tom Robertson (15) battled hard as night watchmen, valuing his wicket as he and Matt Farthing crept to a dominant position.
Ben Spicer (17) entered the fray, as he and his protégé Farthing pushed the score to 2-115 and assured victory.
However, skipper James Williams was in the mood for wickets, as he thrust Hallora back into the game, as the Eagles lost 4-24 including that of Farthing (51), with the game balancing on a knife’s edge at tea.
Jeremy Gray and Lachie Pratt kept the scoreboard ticking along after play resumed, however Gray fell to Williams with six runs to go, as both sides’ season hung in the balance. Pratt ultimately showed why he had been brought up from division two when the crunch came, striking a boundary to seal victory as Ellinbank reached the finals for the first time in two seasons, as Williams (5-33) and Hallora fell short.
Ellinbank ultimately reached 178 before being bowled out, as Pratt (26*) finished not out in his most important innings of the season.
Stags continue form
Neerim District 267 def Western Park 196 Neerim District has kept their sensational form going, stunning Western Park with a terrific all-round display.
Resuming on 4-43 with a daunting chase of 268 on the cards, Sam Batson (21) fell early, as did Sanjaya Gangodawila (0), with Dane Fawcett’s electric spell reducing the Warriors to 6-61 and certain demise.
Jason Croft (53) and Danny Sheehan (34) picked up the pieces of the innings as they added 67 to put a scare through the Stags camp.
A ridiculous outfield catch from the athletic Rhys George ended Sheehan’s knock, as Zane Harper and Croft continued the scoring before Croft fell shortly before tea.
Harper and Troy Lehman (17) pushed the scoreboard as Neerim grew tired, but once Lehman was castled by Fawcett the writing was on the wall.
And once Harper (38) gloved to gully, fittingly taken by Jack Ward, Dane Fawcett (6-69) and Neerim celebrated a fifth victory in six games, as Western Park were all out for 196.
Hawks in top four
Yarragon 132 def by Drouin 274 Drouin has pulled off their most important victory of the season to climb back into the four, dismantling Yarragon in an emphatic display.
Defending an imposing 274, Drouin, through Simon Gardiner and Jamie Glen, destroyed the impotent Yarragon top order, running riot to reduce Yarragon to 4-37.
John Allsop (52) fought hard to resurrect the innings, but was dismissed by old foe Gardiner (3-27) who finished with three scalps, as did opening partner Glen (3-32). Dale Weller (223) was extremely tidy despite the hard wicket not aiding his spin, bowling 19 miserly overs and removing the dangerous Gamini Kumara for just 18 to begin the onslaught.
Brad Glover (1-26) played his role, removing fellow Wild Dog compatriot Nuwan Perera for a duck, as the Panthers simply limped their way to 132 all out in 60 overs with Allsop the last man to depart with Yarragon now facing a stern test to play finals cricket.
Buln sets up showdown
Buln Buln 5/244dec def Jindivick 171 & 101 Buln Buln has locked in finals cricket, and set up a massive showdown for second spot with Ellinbank next week, completing a thrilling outright victory over cellar dwellars Jindivick.
Requiring 143 to win to begin the day, Buln lost Harry Wans (8) early, before Jack Armour (42) too departed after a solid innings.
The Lyrebirds soon fell to 3-86 as the out of form Daniel Hamilton was dismissed, however this brought Brent Eastwell to the crease, as he and Jeff Walsh not only took Buln safely home; they began building a case for an outright victory.
The pair added 108 before Eastwell was out for 64, as Buln soon declared at 5-244 with Walsh finishing not out after a blistering 88.
With little to play for, and missing three players due to a funeral and illnesses, Jindivick folded in their second innings as Buln smelled blood.
Stevie Dillon (29) battled, but Bryce Monahan (3-17) and Jackson Noonan (3-34) were too good and although a late order partnership almost prevented it, the Lyrebirds managed to snag Dillon with 29 required, and just two overs to chase.
Enter Walsh again, the man striking 18 runs off Hussain Ali’s over before striking a four off the penultimate ball of the innings to send the Lyrebirds’ into raptures, from struggling on the edge of the four to a chance to take the minor premiership next game.