Longwarry demolish young Banker side
Division two
Ellinbank v Longwarry
Longwarry put on the performance of the season on the weekend, demolishing Ellinbank away from home. Batting first, the premiership favourites tore into a young Ellinbank side, as Yashan Samarasinghe (122) played a ferocious knock. The superstar Sri Lankan batted with absolute ease, making an enormous century in quick time as Longwarry batted at over 6-anover. Dom Pullen (49*) played a whirlwind supporting hand, as did Dylan Serong (31), as Longwarry made an unassailable 5-264. In reply, Ellinbank provided little response. Pullen (5-11) tore through the top order, taking the first five wickets to rival Samarasinghe for player of the match, before Robert Wilkinson (2-15) sealed the deal as Ellinbank were all out for a paltry 58.
Hallora v Western Park
In a match-up that is likely to be replayed in two weeks' time, Hallora took bragging rights over Western Park on the weekend. Bowling first, the Kangas strangled the visitors into submission, as Brayden Notman (3-9), Mark Phillips (3-40) and Clint Hickford (2-26) helped skittle the visitors for 124 on the batter friendly Hallora surface. In reply, Hallora were never troubled at all- Mitch Smith (57*) and Cody Matthews (37) combined for a 100-run opening stand, as Hallora ended up winning in a canter by eight wickets.
Iona v Garfield-Tynong
Iona avoided a massive boil-over on the weekend, narrowly defeating Garfield-Tynong to keep their hopes for top spot alive. Bowling first, Iona encountered an aggressive Titans batting line-up- as the likes of Matt Trofa (43*), Tate Burgmann (28*) and Saransh Deb (28) helped the visitors make a defendable 6-178. With the ball, Will Selleck (3-25) and Jesse Depasquale (2-34) were the pick of the bowlers.
In reply, Graeme Rankin (54) and Liam Lenders (45) had Iona in a terrific position earlyhowever, Saransh Deb (2-21) and a consistent Titans attack brought them back in the game. After falling to 7-172, Iona required one final push- and got the job done in the last over, with Wade Haysom (9*) and Hayden Watson (6*) the heroes.
Drouin v Jindivick
Drouin overcame Jindivick on the weekend in a thrilling upset. Bowling first, the Hawks started well- as Jamie Glen (4-30) and Sam Graziotin (3-43) did the job for the home side. Rory Payne (69) played a fine knock for the Jumping Jacks, as the match teetered in the balance as the visitors made 9-179.
In reply, Wade Crawford (40), Bailey Osseweyer (32) and Sam Wyatt (31) appeared to have the Hawks home at 4-175- until they lost 4-2 to set up a thrilling finish. Andrew Pyle (2-25), Jordan Smith (2-25) and Matt Ward (2-37) all had their hands in the turnaround- but it proved too little too late, as a couple of scrambled singles pushed Drouin over the line with seven balls and two wickets to spare.
Division three
Warragul v Neerim District
Neerim's dream of a double chance stayed alive on the weekend with a comfortable victory. Batting first, Heath Darcy (39), Jay Ladson (35) and Carter Davis (34) all played a hand with the bat, as the Stags made 8-204 off their allotted overs. Darsh Patel (3-61) and Nathan Pisa (2-28) were the pick of the bowlers for the home side, however they didn't have many contributors with the bat- Matt Wakefield (68) celebrated his return with a fantastic knock, but no one else made double figures as they were all out for 122- as Ben Lockett (4-23) and Marc Tymkin (2-19) did the damage.
Garfield-Tynong v Iona
Iona resigned Garfield-Tynong to the wooden spoon with an easy victory on the weekend. Batting first, Wes Wright (79) led the charge against the likes of John Zacarri (3-39), as Iona made 7-204 off their 40 overs. In reply, Jake Vandenberge (36) and Archer Burgmann (34) showed their class, but they were never really in the game as they crawled to 5-120. Kieran Lenders (2-9) was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, who will rue the fact that this win is unfortunately too little, too late for their season.
Longwarry v Catani
Catani continued their stranglehold on the division, as they thrashed fellow contenders Longwarry. Bowling first, the Cats were dominantas Riley Miller (4-20), Daniel Glover (3-13) and Ryan Smith decimated the Crows, rolling them for 116- as only Randall Mitchell (39) provided any sort of fight. In reply, Ross Douglas (55*) and George Zekic (51) cleaned the runs up with ease- as Catani lost just one wicket in their chase.
Western Park v Yarragon
Western Park climbed into the top two with a crazy victory over Yarragon. Batting first, Fletcher Kennedy (81), Travis Maher (75) and Tyler Payroli (75) torched the limp Yarragon bowling line-up, as the Warriors made an enormous 5-291 off their 40 overs.
In reply, Amandeep Singh (79) went crazy with the bat early in a boundary-laden innings, but Oscar Sheehan's (3-42) stunning hat-trick destroyed any chance for Yarragon. Priyank Saini (30) provided a late burst for the Panthers, but Jimmy Burke (3-44) and Caleb McIntosh (2-23) skittled the lower order to remove Yarragon 130 runs short of their goal.