by Samuel Laffy
Trafalgar vs Ellinbank (9/271)
Finals permutations across five divisions means there'll be frequent mention of the situations needed for particular teams to reach the top four, so readers best buckle up as this is the first of many mentions.
Ellinbank – as it so happens – needed to win to seal a finals berth in division one, with the Eagles set to leapfrog the loser between Longwarry and Drouin. And after posting 9/271 they would no doubt be confident of claiming victory over Trafalgar.
Having fallen short in the grand final last summer, the prospect of missing finals would no doubt have inspired many of Ellinbank's XI in the lead-up to the game, and some of their more highly regarded players stepped up when it mattered.
Thomas Keily's boundary-laden 39 was a stand-out knock in the early part of the day, whilst Nick Fairbank (56 from just 75 balls) compiled an excellent half-century to seize back the momentum in the latter part of the day.
Chris Pallot (37*) and Jeremy Gray (34) then provided endless frustration with a 59-run ninth-wicket stand that helped Ellinbank reach a position of strength.
Jackson Noonan was once again outstanding with the ball – as he's been all season leading an undermanned attack – snagging 3/53 from 22 overs, while Rhys Holdsworth (2/46) and Louis Hennessy (2/20) chimed in with late wickets.
The Ships now stare down a considerable chase, and if Iona snatch an upset win over Hallora it could mean relegation for Trafalgar.
Next week's pursuit will be fascinating on many accounts. Supporters from both sides would be well advised to ensure they make the journey to Trafalgar Recreation Reserve to see how it unfolds.
Western Park (245) vs Catani
Being the 77th over on a sweltering afternoon, a push into the off-side field to snatch a quick single seemed like an almost regulation move for Zane Harper.
Another run that pushed him closer to the elusive division one half-century that had avoided his clutches to date. However, he hadn't accounted for Riley McDonald's precision, and as the stumps were broken, he was tragically forced to depart for a salubrious 46.
'Z-Boi' has been one of the more improved bats of note for the Warriors in recent times, and his titivated knock – on the back of an augmented training approach resulting in an expanded repertoire of strokes – helped lift Western Park to 236 before they were dismissed late in the day against Catani.
Combining with Sam Batson (who made a typically dashing 66-ball 62), the pair worked the ball fluently through gaps in the field – and launched a host of uproarious blows to the fence from anything slightly loose – adding 74 for the sixth wicket.
Together with a spritely 24 from Ben Clarke and dogged knocks of 39 and 41 from Gavin Roulston and Jack Armour respectively, Western Park overcame some spirited bowling from Daniel Vela (who battled manfully through 34 exceptional overs on his way to 3/98), Raheem Kasser (3/73), and Jackson Pawsey (3/48), as Catani made them work for every run.
Longwarry (126) vs Drouin (1/69)
In a borderline winner-takes-all encounter between Longwarry and Drouin it's the Hawks who look by far the most likely to emerge victorious, requiring just 58 more runs to claim victory over the Crows.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Longwarry as their vulnerability with the bat came to the fore, dismissed for just 126.
For a time, it looked as though Jonah Serong (28 from 86) and Isaac Carney (a stoic 34 off 94) might have the wherewithal to fightback against a disciplined Drouin attack, but the build-up of pressure eventually proved too much to overcome.
James Wilcock (3/17 from 9) provided initial impetus with the new-ball, while Brad Glover (3/22 off 8.4) and Paul Timewell (3/22) utilised their years of experience to overwhelm the Longwarry lower order, paving the path for the Hawks to seal a finals berth.
Dom Pullen (1/19) made an early breakthrough – disturbing the stumps of Matt Kouris for just four – but Trevor Gardiner (26*) and Lahiru Jayakody (34*) added an unbeaten 63 for the second wicket to propel Drouin to 1/69 at stumps.
The Crows would no doubt be disappointed at their inability to post a substantial total when it mattered most, whilst the Hawks seemingly carried the momentum from their one-day premiership into the weekend's action.
Hallora vs Iona (300)
Those unfamiliar with the WDCA might be surprised at the standings of the two teams involved in Hallora's match-up with Iona on Saturday, as the Swamp Tigers put together one of their more memorable days in division one.
The Kangaroos proudly sit as one of the more dominant sides of the last 15 years in the association, having snared a number of premierships across T20, one-day, and two-day competitions, and are entering yet another finals campaign.
Iona, however, have rarely participated in the top tier, and their breakthrough victory last round was the first A grade win they'd enjoyed in 20 years.
And yet, the Swamp Tigers posted an even 300 on the weekend to well and truly have Hallora on the back foot.
It was a total made possible thanks a to career-best knock from Fletcher Pallot – who fell agonisingly short of a maiden century on his way to a sumptuous 92 opening up – and a number of handy contributions from his teammates.
Graeme Rankin – a man who has been there and done that in every situation imaginable over the course of his distinguished career – posted 42 as part of a 102-run second-wicket stand, and Liam Lenders (52 from 87) and Carter Davis (43 from 45) were both in fine form as support acts.
James Williams (5/71 from 21) reaped rewards late after a quality sustained spell, but the Kangaroos still enter next week's play staring down the barrel of a rarely chased target.