by Samuel Laffy
Garfield-Tynong (8/239) def. Warragul (130)
Garfield-Tynong put a dent in Warragul's finals aspirations on Saturday, their 109-run win leaving the Gulls sitting a win out of the top four with just two home and away games remaining.
The Titans began the day as favourites to extend their winning streak, having restricted Warragul to 130 on the first day's play, and Matt Dodman's excellent anchor innings at the top of the order ensured that there would be few wobbles from Garfield-Tynong during their run chase.
Patiently waiting on the occasional loose delivery – and resolutely defending anything else – Dodman's 151-ball 54 contained 10 boundaries, with the sheer number of dot balls faced demonstrating his restraint.
Archer Burgmann (32 from 32) and Jake Van Den Berghe (56* from 79) then sealed the deal as the ball was thrown around by the Gulls – with nine bowlers used in all – as Garfield-Tynong finished at 8/239.
Brandon Interlandi (2/17) was the best for Warragul.
Neerim District (8d/163) def. Yarragon (109 and 42)
One of the more astonishing spells of bowling in WDCA occurred on the weekend as Aaron Fawcett snared a scarcely believable eight-wicket haul that helped Neerim District snatch an outright victory over Yarragon that propelled them to second on the division two table.
Resuming at 2/39 in pursuit of the Panthers' 109, some belligerent batting from Nathan Bayne (33) and Fawcett (49 from just 60 balls) helped the Stags make their way to 8/163 before a declaration was made.
For Yarragon, Daniel Haddad (2/54), Angus Kirkham (2/9), and Lachlan McNamara (2/14) impressed with the ball.
The Panthers would no doubt have hoped for an encouraging display to build on some improved performances in recent weeks, and Jake Borsato (9 from 83) did his best to knuckle down and see his side to safety.
However, Fawcett soon set about spinning up a storm and using clever variations in pace and flight – combined with considerable grip off the wicket – and there was precious little Yarragon could do to stop him.
After 10.2 superb overs he walked off with a haul of 8/9, and Neerim District had bundled out the Panthers for just 42.
Western Park (8/268) def. Jindivick (127)
If you were to look up bloody-mindedness and staunch defensive determination in a cricketing dictionary there is little doubt that you'd find an image of Jack Barnes.
And he lived up to his reputation on the weekend, with a gritty 58* that helped Western Park seal a 141-run win over Jindivick.
Carefully working the ball into gaps and pushing singles and twos – amidst a myriad of defensive strokes and leaves – Barnes ensured the Jumping Jacks would be forced to toil for 70 overs in trying conditions.
He found excellent support from Alex Gavin (who adopted a polar opposite approach to batting on his way to a 63-ball 59), and Tom Fawcett (31*) applied the finishing touches as the Warriors made their way to 8/268 at stumps.
Shane Hoskins (2/20) and Harrison Moore (3/87) were the best with the ball for Jindivick, but against talented opposition had little chance of preventing Western Park from taking home a huge victory.
Buln Buln (265) def. Drouin (9/170)
Drouin began day two of their clash against Buln Buln firmly as underdogs – with the Lyrebirds having posted a challenging target of 265 in their first innings – and unfortunately for the Hawks the weight of runs proved too much for them to overcome, slumping to a 95-run loss.
Al Gaudion was at his dynamic best early in Drouin's innings, striking nine boundaries in his knock of 45 and Jarrod Saw was equally aggressive.
But their quest for rapid runs proved to be their undoing as the Buln attack were able to induce a number of false strokes from the middle and lower order.
John Perry (34), Nick Harper (22), and Upinder Taggar (29) all made starts but none were able to produce an innings likely to carry their side to victory and after 50.1 overs the Hawks were all out for 170.
Brad Monson (2/42), Wilson Pollock (2/39), and Josh Baker (2/35) were all in fine form with ball in hand and their efforts were crucial factors in Buln's win.