Huge Hallora partnership Drouin strike back
Hallora has completed an all-time drubbing over Yarragon on the weekend, as one of the greatest partnerships in club history saw them go back to the top of the ladder. Losing the toss and sent into bat, Hallora made the Panthers pay for the decision as Damon Healy and Brett Williams went to work.
Healy was the primary aggressor whilst Williams knocked the ball around into gaps, as the pair quickly reached 100. Yarragon, missing several key players, were clearly devoid of talent- as a call-up of several from the lowest grades proved costly, as Healy began taking his attack to the skies. He blasted four huge maximums on the expansive Yarragon outfield, quickly passing 100 in the process. Several more boundaries brought him to 150 with six overs to go- and the partnership to 247- however he was caught to end a magnificent innings. Williams continued on and seemed destined to reach a second century this year, but unfortunately was 99 not out as Hallora made 2-297.
In reply, Yarragon's response was limp bowled out for 70.
Catani v Drouin
Catani has climbed into the top four, with a crucial “12-point” victory over Drouin. Losing the toss and sent into bat, the Cats were nervy early, as a fine spell from Harry McConnell (237) had Catani struggling at 4-50 in the early morning. Two of Catani's classiest, James Vela and Ned Harrison, were charged with rebuilding the innings. Catani was all out for 156, with Drouin requiring another miracle chase.
In reply, the Hawks started carefully. Jonathan Bell (12) and Ben Spicer (28) were able to see off the new ball but were unable to accelerate as required. Josh Miller (2-21) came back into the bowling fray with favorable effect, whilst the rest of the Catani bowling committee ensured none of Drouin's big guns fired.
Buln Buln v Western Park
Western Park dominated Buln Buln on Saturday, in a game that lasted less than two hours.
Neerim District v Warragul Sunday, Round 13. Division 1: Drouin v Catani
Drouin has made a stunning reversal, thrashing Catani on Sunday. Losing the toss and bowling- mirroring the start of a disastrous Saturday for the Hawks, Drouin quickly went to work, as Jake Harper ran out danger man Liam Adams (1) before Catani reached double figures. Daniel Vela (27) helped the Cats rebound, Buln won the toss and batted on a wet pitch- but at 1-45, the wheels began to fall off for the allowing an opening partnership of 23 to devel- boys in blue. Ben Spicer (4-12) wreaked havoc op between Lachie Jagoe and Andrew Burdett. with his tweakers, knocking over stumps and This was the last time Buln was ahead in the hitting pads for fun as Catani fell in a heap. game, however- as three wickets in an over from Brad Glover (2-11) continued his fine form, Jason Croft flipped the script. Jagoe (9), Matt whilst Trevor Gardiner (2-13) enjoyed a longer Allen (0) and Wilson Pollock (0) all fell to leave spell. Catani lost an astonishing 9-24 to be all the Lyrebirds 3-23- and things went from bad out for just 69. to worse. Buln ended the batting with an un- In reply, Lachie Gregson (1-10) took the scalp competitive 62. of Jonathan Bell in the first over, sparking hope
In reply, the Warriors were unlikely to be trou- for the visitors. However, the inclusion of Nick bled, but Jack Armour and Sanjaya Gangodaw- Harper proved to be a good one, as he and ila did the job with blissful ease. Armour (10*) Spicer (24*) cleaned up the runs in just over ticked the strike over, whilst Gangodawila (53*) 26 overs- keeping Drouin in touch with the top continued his sensational form, getting the four. chase done in a little over 10 overs, giving the
Parkers a rare 10-wicket victory.
Western Park v Buln Buln
Western Park has made it two dominant victories in two days, thrashing Buln on the weekend. A strong batting effort helped Neerim defeat Winning the toss and batting, Jack Armour 10-man Warragul on the weekend. Sent into and Sanjaya Gangodawila both played brutish bat, the Stags found themselves in trouble ear- knocks to put the visitors on the back foot. ly, as big guns Jack Ward (10), Rhys George (7) Their partnership ballooned to well over 100 and Kody Wilson (1) were unable to fire, with in the first half of the innings, with their contrasting Nathan MacFarlane (2-40) providing a dam- styles equaling 19 boundaries between aging spell. Young gun Patty Sheehan and fa- them. Gangodawila (65) was dismissed for the ther Danny Sheehan were on hand to steady first time in three games, as the pair added the ship for Neerim, however, as they slashed 157 for the first wicket. This gave the Lyrebirds through an undisciplined Warragul attack. Aid- a burst of energy, as they were able to rattle ed by a preposterous 46 wides bowled in the off several wickets in succession, including first 25 overs of the innings, the younger Shee- Armour (65) and Sam Batson (16) as Andrew han (61) played with immense freedom, mak- Burdett (2-43) found some needed form. Leigh ing a quickfire 61, whilst Danny (58) sent balls Diston (33) carried the momentum into the flying over the picket fence. Neerim racked up death, with contributions from Matt Roberts a monstrous 6-237 before the close of innings. (16*), Zane Harper (12) and Jason Croft (11*)
In reply, Warragul gave themselves an early pushing the total to a monster 7-264. chance- as Tyler Constantine (36) and Matt In reply, Buln's batting fared little better than Runnalls (36) attacked with ferocity. The pair it did the day before. Sam Batson (3-9) blew led the Gulls to 1-71, before Dane Fawcett (5- away the top order, before Toby Bransgrove (219) 52) wreaked havoc on the middle to lower or- continued the carnage. Wilson Pollock (26) der. Warragul's deficiencies in depth of talent battled hard for his side, but the talent discrepancy rose to the fore, as a potential winning position was clear; all seven Western Park bowlers quickly turned into another loss- only Paddy took wickets, as the Lyrebirds were skittled for Mulqueen (18) showing any fight for the rest of just 85. the innings, as Neerim had their way- dismiss- ing the Gulls for 166 and resigning them to a relegation fight for the rest of the year.
Hallora v Yarragon
Hallora strengthened their position at the top of the ladder, easing their way to twelve points for the weekend after doing the double over Yarragon. Fielding first, Hallora found things would be more difficult than on Saturday as Amandeep Singh (55) played his best Division 1 knock, slamming eleven boundaries to put Hallora on the back foot. Gamini Kumara (12) played a rare supporting role in the 66-run partnership, however his dismissal uncovered Yarragon's soft underbelly. Spin was once again the answer for Hallora, as Jimmy Williams (411) bowled his finest spell of the year, removing the dangerous Amal Athulathmudali (0) before pressing the middle-order. Grant Duncan (315) noodled away, whilst Natsai M'Shangwe (213) played a rare backseat hand, as Yarragon lost 10-56 to be all out for 122.
In reply, Hallora's superb batting form continued. Damon Healy (14) was not able to back up Saturday's heroics, but Brett Williams (40) once again picked up the slack. There was little trouble for the Kangas beyond this, the only pressure was how quickly they could get the job done; the answer was 27.4 overs and eight wickets, as Fraser Duncan (34*) and Cam McPhan (29*) eased the home side to victory.
Warragul v Neerim District
The only game with any competition on Sunday belonged to Warragul and Neerim District, as a strong bowling performance helped Neerim eek out a victory and a top four spot. Winning the toss and bowling, the Stags got off to the perfect start- as Dane Fawcett (2-25) took a scalp off the first ball, then followed it up with another soon after, as Todd Mann (7) fell to the quick to leave Warragul 2-9. Tyler Constantine (13) and Matt Runnalls (27) attempted to rebuild the innings on a tricky pitch, but Neerim's bowling proved too strong. Aaron Fawcett (2-16) was tight through the middle, before a rare spell from Nathan Bayne (3-15) and a return to form from Carter Davis (2-15) helped to worsen Warragul's woes, as they were skittled for just 109.
In reply, Neerim's previous batting form indicated an easy victory was on the cards. And after Jack Ward (31) and Patty Sheehan (17) saw off the new ball, that result was looking likely. However, a consistent effort from all of the Gulls bowlers, as well as two runouts, left the game in the balance at 6-100, as the Stags struggled to hit the winning runs. With 10 required, Aaron Fawcett came to the crease and the usually defensive right-hander put an end to proceedings in just five balls, giving Neerim a crucial six points, and leaving Warragul in a battle for the wooden spoon.