Parkers finish job

Division 4

With finals just around the corner every result counts for just that little bit more as some sides claimed big wins this week. Western Park (297) def. Hallora (159)

Resuming the day on the verge of victory - with just 41 runs required to take first-innings points - Western Park emerged from their encounter Hallora with a finals spot secured, as all-rounder Ben Lemmens' career-best knock helped the Warriors to a 138run win.

As a determined Marc Fleming rapidly made his way to another half-century, Lemmens played the anchor role and made the Kangaroos toil in their quest for wickets.

Fleming was eventually lured into a false stroke on 54, but that only brought Josh Baker to the crease and with a carefree approach struck a multitude of boundaries on his way to a well-made 47.

With victory long secured, all eyes were on whether Lemmens could reach three figures, but after 175 deliveries of concentration he had a momentary lapse of concentration.

Lemmens skied a ball to cover to see him on his way for 93 off the bowling of Michael Buzasi - the Halloran seamer's fourth scalp of the innings - as Western Park finished 297 all out. Garfield-Tynong (218) def. Jindivick (53)

The Jumping Jacks began their pursuit of 218 needing victory to stay in the finals race, but instead of matching it with Garfield-Tynong were blown away in just over 20 overs on their way to a 165-run defeat.

A watchful first wicket stand of 14 between Flynn Pallot and Duane Horsburgh pointed to what seemed to be a gritty chase.

But, once Jet Pickering removed Pallot, Jindivick's batsmen came and went through a turnstile of dismissals, as Pickering (5/26) and Josh Evans (4/15) ran riot.

Only one batsman was able to make it to double figures and only one was able to face out more than 20 deliveries, as there seemed little the Jumping Jacks could do to prevent the Titans from further cementing their spot at the top of the table.

In the end Jindivick found themselves bundled out for just 53 after just 20.4 overs. Ellinbank (171) def. Catani (43)

With one round of cricket remaining the top four is locked up as Catani crashed to an embarrassing 128-run defeat at the hands of Ellinbank.

Like Jindivick, the Cats need to secure first innings points to stay in the hunt but found themselves unable to exert any influence against the Bankers' bowlers.

A parsimonious opening spell from Phil Conley (2/3 off 8) and Will Auldist (1/8 from 8) set the tone, and the build-up of pressure enabled Mathew Murphy to run riot.

Proving virtually unplayable, the all-rounder snared the scarcely believable figures of 6/7 from his 7.4 overs, repeatedly beating the bat and disturbing the stumps on his way to a memorable haul.

His efforts ensured that Catani could make no more than 43 from their 31.4 overs at the crease, slumping to a dismal defeat.

Iona (9/324) def. Drouin (223)

Despite the best efforts of Sam Barwick and Lochie Downie, Drouin found Iona's imposing total of 324 too much to overcome, with the Hawks remaining winless on the back of 101-run loss at the hands of the Swamp Tigers.

The small confines of the Bellbird Oval would have provided hope to the batsman that enough boundaries were on offer to challenge Iona's bowlers.

But, despite the best efforts of the aforementioned duo, Brad Gorman (2/54), Lachlan Howard (2/52), and Glen Burns (4/39) were able to make regular enough incisions to curtail Drouin's scoring.

Burns in particular snared the key scalps of Barwick (caught for 64) and Downie (trapped in front for 63), with the wickets coming at a crucial stage as the scoreboard read 3/152 and the Hawks were beginning to grow in belief.

The loss however, leaves Drouin with just one more chance to secure a win for the summer against Jindivick in the final home-andaway encounter.