by Samuel Laffy
Drouin (105) vs Catani (2/45)
In their quest to keep their finals hopes alive, Catani finished day one of their round 13 clash with Drouin firmly in control, with the Cats requiring just 60 more runs to claim first innings points.
The much-vaunted Hawks line-up found the going tough on Bellbird Park, with Mitchell Gregson wreaking havoc amongst the top order.
Damon Healy (caught for 9 after an ill-advised pull shot), Gamini Kumara (who had his stumps disturbed on just 3), and Paul Timewell (who chipped a return catch to Gregson first ball) departed amongst a flurry of wickets that reduced the score to 4/31.
Lahiru Jayakody (34) and James Wilcock (42) did their best to rectify the situation, but even then Drouin could manage just 105 before being dismissed in the 50th over.
Gregson (3/31 from 13), Raheem Kasser (3/10 off 4.2), and Ben Coleman (2/34) all impressed with the ball.
In reply, Kumara (2/8) made early inroads, but determined knocks of 12* to Eli Richards and 10* to James Vela saw Catani eke out 2/45 from the 27 overs they faced before stumps – well and truly in the box-seat to claim an upset win next weekend.
Western Park (1/41) vs Ellinbank (85)
Ellinbank's chance to atone for last season's division one grand final loss ended in disaster for the Eagles as they found themselves staring down the barrel of a hefty defeat once again at the hands of Western Park.
Unlike previous wickets that provided spinners significant assistance, the turf pitch produced on Saturday held no demons whatsoever.
But the Ellinbank line-up still found it immensely difficult to counter a Warriors attack that refused to stray from a consistently threatening line-and-length.
Adam Campbell and Daniel Pandolfo both departed without scoring in the first few overs of the innings, and from then on Ellinbank were always well behind the eight-ball, forced to defend manfully and simply occupy the crease rather than looking to hit out and disrupt the bowlers.
Sam Batson (3/14 from 8.2), Tyler McDonald (3/13 off 8), and Jason Croft (3/27 from 18) executed their plans perfectly, and the pressure produced by their parsimonious displays saw runs come at a trickle.
Sean Masterson (27 from 135) played a lone hand for the Eagles, who were dismissed for just 85 in the 53rd over.
In reply, Gavin Roulston enjoyed the chance to slowly build into an innings – rather than looking to attack from ball one – and his 24* helped Western Park reach 1/41 at stumps.
When asked about his side's impressive display after the close of play, Sam Batson pointed to his side's mindset a key factor.
"It was a well-rounded performance with everyone contributing. The Hallora loss definitely was a reminder that good teams make you pay for dropping your intensity, and today we didn't relent," he said.
"I think really pleasing has been Jack Walsh's form as our third seamer. He got Healy last week which turned the game and got Fairbank this week at a stage where they'd just started getting some momentum before the tea break."
Iona (198) vs Longwarry (1/19)
For one of the few times this summer Iona will enter as favourites heading into the second day's play, with the Swamp Tigers putting together an encouraging batting performance that seems them holding a 179-run lead over Longwarry at stumps of their round 12 clash.
Displaying clear intent to put immense value on their wickets, the Ionan top and middle order all adopted a defensive mindset upon first reaching the crease, opting to gradually gain a handle on conditions before attacking against a disciplined Crows attack.
Will Taylor (26), Jesse De Pasquale (37), and Michael Taylor (42) were the key performers for the Swamp Tigers, and they ensured that the likes of Matthew Aslett (1/30 from 16), Harrison Stephens (a superb 5/69 off 21), and Jonah Serong (1/8 from 10) never felt like they were fully in control with ball in hand.
Iona made it through to 198 before being dismissed in the 72nd over, which left Longwarry with five overs to face out.
Serong (11*) was in sparkling touch, but Randall Mitchell departed in the second last over of the day – caught for six off Carter Davis's bowling – to see the score 1/19 at stumps.
Hallora (6/276) vs Trafalgar
A docile batting strip allowed Hallora to post a challenging first-innings total for Trafalgar to attempt to chase next weekend, with the Kangaroos consistency at the crease forcing the Ships to toil manfully for their wickets.
Brett Williams – who has been in excellent form of late – made a watchful 35 at the top of the order, and he found willing allies in Kian Burns (67 from 155) and Andrew Donohue (68 off 120), with the trio displaying impressive concentration and determination.
Refusing to let bowlers snare scalps from loose shots and poor decision-making, Hallora's patient approach paid dividends late as Ethan Guest (55* from 69) and Aiden Phillips (17* off 11) were able to take advantage of a tiring attack and boost their side's total.
Jackson Noonan (1/68 from 21) and Rhys Holdsworth (who claimed 4/96 in a marathon 29-over stint of bowling) held the Halloran batters accountable throughout and ensured that despite the Kangaroos excellent form, that the required total didn't get out of hand.
Speaking after the game, Trafalgar's Liam Durkin paid tribute to the efforts of the Ships attack.
"It was good batting on a very flat wicket. Nothing wrong with the bowling. They batted at the same tempo the whole way through. We fought well, couldn't fault the effort or execution generally."