by Samuel Laffy
Warragul (169) def. Catani (79)
In one of the more stunning upsets of the summer, Warragul notched their first win in 2024/25 on Saturday, with the Gulls knocking off their highly fancied opponents to the tune of 90 runs.
Having compiled 169 on day one of proceedings, Warragul were certainly not without a chance at the resumption of play, but many pundits would have expected the Cats to solidify their spot in the top four with a successful run chase.
Brian Christensen had other ideas though, the seamer delivering a sensational new ball display that decimated Catani's line-up.
Bailey Sporish (4), Ross Douglas (2), Jackson Bennett (trapped in front first ball) and Joshua Bennetts (who had his stumps disturbed without troubling the scorers) were all found out by Christensen, who finished with season's-best 5/13 from seven quality overs.
Kieran Morton (4/36) then rounded out Warragul's dream day and after just 21.3 overs Catani were all out for just 79.
Iona (8d/148) def. Longwarry (9/92 and 1/46)
Iona ensured the race for the top four will be a tightly fought contest in the final two home and away games after sealing a 56-run victory over Longwarry on the weekend.
Resuming at 4/109 – having restricted the Crows to just 92 in their first innings – the Swamp Tigers made their way to 8/148 before declaring, with William Davis (27*) capping off a fine all-round performance having snared 6/49 with the ball.
Cole Cook (4/39) took advantage of some loose strokeplay in the Ionan quest for quick runs and was easily the pick of Longwarry's attack.
The Crows were sent back in by their opponents – who were looking to secure an unlikely outright – and were able to successfully negotiate 21 overs before play was called off, Longwarry finishing 1/46 with Daniel Waite (16*) and Cole Cook (13*).
Western Park (6/277) def. Ellinbank (164)
At one stage in Ellinbank's run chase, Ryan McGinness and Bryce Joyce looked to have laid the perfect foundation for a successful pursuit of Western Park's 6/277 – having carried the Eagles to 2/121 at the 40 over mark.
But a spin-induced collapse meant their efforts counted for nought at game's end, as the Warriors took home a 115-run win that maintained their position in the top four.
McGinness (47 from 124) had seen off some testing opening spells from Archie Dunn (1/11) and Clifford Fleming, and Joyce (who fluently struck six boundaries on his way to 36) was particularly harsh on anything slightly loose and their 58-run third-wicket stand was beginning to look dangerous.
However, Sam Laffy (4/44) was able to lure McGinniss out of his crease – neatly stumped by Luke Garner - and in his next over castled Joyce to leave Ellinbank teetering at 4/123.
Ed Dieu – who confirmed his standing as one of the more exciting young talents at Western Park – then spun a web around the Eagles, extracting steepling bounce and extravagant turn on his way to a haul of 4/77, and the duo's efforts triggered a collapse of 8/43 that saw Ellinbank dismissed for 164 in the 60th over.
Hallora (7/338) def. Trafalgar (245)
Trafalgar made an excellent fist of their efforts to chase down Hallora's massive first innings total, but the weight of runs proved too much for even the talented Ships line-up, with the Kangaroos continuing their winning streak thanks to a 93-run victory.
The Trafalgar Recreation Reserve is a batter's paradise currently – as witnessed by Hallora amassing 7/338 on day one of proceedings – and Rhain Ross sent out a warning to the Kangaroos that Trafalgar weren't going down with a fight, blasting nine boundaries in a 25-ball 47 at the top of the order.
William Claridge (an excellent 55), Mitchell Claridge (a boisterous 38), and David Bremner (a boundary-laden 48) continued the attack and sought to be aggressive, but the required asking rate meant that some ill-advised shots were played, resulting in the regular fall of wickets.
Dilpreet Singh (6/56 from 15) enjoyed his time with ball in hand and was the main beneficiary for the Kangaroos as they dismissed the Ships in the 53rd over for 245.