Yarragon upset Western Park
Drouin vs. Buln Buln
An excellent swing from Alex Gaudion has seen Drouin get across the line against a hungry Buln Buln on the weekend.
Winning the toss and batting first, Buln stepped onto the pitch with a new determination and eager for a first win. An early spell from Harry McConnell saw Buln’s opening batter Lachlan Jagoe go down with only two runs, bowing out to a catch from Jonathan Bell.
But it was excellent knocks from Matthew Allen and Corey Jagoe who allowed Buln’s score to pass the 100 mark.
Fielding off his own bowl, Benjamin Spicer took an oustanding catch which saw Allen go down for 48. It was later followed by a wicket from Simon Gardiner, knocking the stumps of a stubborn Jagoe and turning the tide for Drouin.
Four wickets from Spicer saw Buln’s bottom order quickly collapse and left defending their last wicket, 9/132 at the end of the innings.
In to bat, Drouin sent in Jack McConville. Wickets were quick to fall, with Spicer first going down to a quick ball from Paul BridgesBlack. McConville was soon to follow, run out after making six.
Alex Gaudion was in to pick up the pieces, and soon tallied 65 with the bat. He was only stopped by a bowl from Andrew Burdett, resulting in a catch from Bridges-Black.
With the innings nearing the 40th over, it was up to the bottom order to get across the line. Keegan Friedlander and Harry McConnell making a combined eight runs was all it took, for a total of 8/135 with less than two overs to spare.
Yarragon vs. Western Park
Yarragon has made an unexpected triumph against top-four side Western Park, losing only three wickets in the process.
Winning the toss and batting first, Western Park opener Jack Armour collected the most runs for a total of 48. After partner Sanjaya Gangodawila went down for 23, Sam Batson stepped in. It was an outstanding partnership between the two, getting Western Park’s total well above 100.
Two early wickets from Gamini Kumara kept the Warragul team on their toes. Amal Athulathmudali was excellent with both bat and ball, taking three wickets but conceding 51 runs off 8 overs. By the last over, Western Park had made a respectable 7/167.
With Yarragon in to bat, it proved difficult to keep the top order from scoring. Although, Sam Batson made a good effort off his threatening seven overs, three of them maidens.
Standouts were Kasun Ranasinghe with 32, Gamini Kumara with 44, and Athulathmudali with top score of 63. A final 19 runs from Liam Smith-Butterworth was all it took to get Yarragon past the 167 total with four overs to spare.
Warragul vs. Ellinbank
Winning the toss and batting, Warragul were under pressure from a relentless Ellinbank attack from the get go.
Wickets were soon to fall, and Ellinbank’s Sean Masterson was a clear highlight. He collected five scalps and six maidens while batters were only able to take a meagre six runs off his exceptional eight overs.
Warragul were only able to collect 44 runs, all out after 25 overs.
It was quick work for Ellinbank, who only needed 15 overs to reach Warragul’s total, losing one wicket in the process.
Neerim District vs. Hallora
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Hallora couldn’t take all of Neerim District’s wickets before the end of the innings.
Jackson Ward was first to bat, making a total of 29 before going down to a catch off a bowl from Cameron McPhan.
It was followed by decent efforts from Rhys George with 25 runs and Daniel Sheehan with 26 runs, getting their team to a total of 8/131.
It made for an aggressive chase, with Hallora’s batters on complete offense from the very start. Damon Healy’s partnership with Brett Williams got the ball rolling for a combined 48 runs, leaving Fraser Duncan and Cameron McPhan to finish the job. Hallora proving they deserve their top spot, 2/132 off 21 overs.