Predictable results in lower grade
Results in division five were slightly more predictable with Yarragon and Garfield-Tynong taking out big wins, while Drouin easily accounted for Neerim District.
In a similar story to division four, the race to finals is on with only the top two spots appearing to be secure.
Drouin face an anxious wait having the bye in the final round and although guaranteed six points will need results to go in their favour to finish in the four.
Yarragon will be confident of maintaining third spot when they take on Jindivick, while Neerim District will need to beat bottom side Buln Buln to knock Drouin out of the running.
Garfield-Tynong and Western Park go headto-head in a top of the table clash providing what should be an enthralling contest.
Green blasts off
Yarragon 9/320 def Buln Buln 10/202 Yarragon’s Jake Green has led the Panthers to a thumping win with an explosive innings that saw him record his second career century.
Coming in at 3/101 with a solid foundation built on a timely half-century from Steve Green (58), Jake revelled in the small confines of the Buln Buln Primary School oval, blasting an incredible 16 fours and eight sixes on his way to 126.
Dave Butterworth provided ample support with a more circumspect 62 (eight fours and one six) as the pair put the Lyrebirds bowlers to the sword.
Sean Symes claimed the scalps of both Butterworth and Green in a late flurry of wickets to finish with 3/48, while earlier on Thomas Park also snared 3/48. Ben O’Neill chimed in with 2/52. Yarragon will be full of confidence heading into its final round clash with Jindivick, while Buln will be playing for pride and the chance to end Neerim’s season when they meet on the Lyrebirds home turf.
Deja Vandenberghe
Garfield-Tynong 7/267 (dec) def Jindivick 10/122
Almost 12 months to the day (24/02/2018) against the same opposition, Darren Vandenberge has recorded a second century to lead the Titans to a big win over Jindivick.
Coming to the crease with the score on 2/26, Vandenberge took on the bulk of the scoring, striking 13 boundaries and two sixes before retiring on 107.
Al Bliss played a supporting role with 29 retired while Jason Ridler (25) and James Francs (26) lashed out late in the day with handy contributions.
Jeff McBride kept things tight with the new ball to finish with 2/38 off 17 overs.
Young spinner Xavier Van Langenburg chimed in with 2/36.
Garfield-Tynong have been the team to beat all year and will look to finish the regular season on a high when they travel to the home of cricket to take on Western Park.
Jindivick will have its work cut out when they meet a rampant Yarragon at St Paul’s.
Hawks swoop on Stags
Drouin 4/183 def Neerim District 10/136 Drouin wrapped up their home and away season with an easy win over Neerim District.
Resuming at 1/37 requiring a further one hundred for victory,
Hawks stalwart Brad Cross (42) and the everreliable Remo Graziotin (54 retired) had little trouble in erasing the bulk of the deficit.
Sam Graziotin (12 retired) and Thomas Wans (18) made the most of their time in the middle before the days play ended early.
Vinnie Caia was the best of the bowlers with 2/33.
Drouin’s finals hopes now rest on the result of the Neerim vs Buln Buln clash, where a win to the Stags will see them finish in fourth spot ahead of the Hawks on percentage only.