by Samuel Laffy
Drouin (5/167) def. Western Park (8/166)
Drouin might still be a chance of missing the division one two-day finals – requiring victory over Longwarry in round 14 to seal their spot in the top four.
But the Hawks sent out a firm reminder that on their day they are one of the more dangerous sides in the WDCA, sealing an upset five-wicket win over Western Park in the short-form decider on Sunday.
And – for many of the experienced Parkers faithful in attendance – it was an unwelcome reminder of the '10-Pin Parkers' moniker that has done the rounds in the association for many years, with a shocking collapse putting paid to the Warriors' hopes of posting a winning total.
While they were together at the crease, Greg Munro (45) and Sanjaya Gangodawila (54 from just 61 balls) looked supremely comfortable, and their 103-run third-wicket stand saw Drouin staring down the barrel of a substantial chase.
Munro's pristine timing was on full display, with seemingly barely nudged drives racing to the fence, and Gangodawila's imperious ability to pierce the infield a constant factor.
However, Damon Healy – who at one stage looked outclassed with ball in hand – transformed the game in the latter part of his spell.
Firing a quicker ball into the pads of Gangodawila, he then lured Munro into leaving his crease (with Bell fumbling but eventually completing the dismissal).
And when Zane Harper picked out deep midwicket off an ill-advised slog sweep, he had three wickets and 2/135 was quickly 5/142.
Dana Fernando (2/4 from 2) then induced mistakes from Matt Roberts and Jason Croft and from a position of strength, Western Park were 8/147.
Tyler McDonald (15*) impressed late and eked out important runs, but the eventual total of 8/166 was well short was what seemed likely barely 15 overs prior.
Nonetheless, Western Park's bowling unit is one of the more accomplished in the league and no doubt backed themselves to bounce back from the disappointing batting effort.
Sam Batson (2/34 from 7.5) induced an edge from Trevor Gardiner that was gleefully accepted by Harper, and Tyler McDonald lured Damon Healy (14) into a lofted drive that was caught in the deep, and the Hawks were on the back foot early.
There was however one obdurate object in the way of the Warriors – Gamini Kumara. An all-rounder who has tormented all and sunder across his years in the WDCA.
No matter the game situation, if he has bat or ball in hand, you can never count his side out of the contest.
Sunday saw him once again find a way to win, compiling a masterful 63* where he worked the ball through gaps, and manipulated the field to his advantage, never feeling the need to hit out or put his wicket in danger.
With Fernando (a frenetic 24-ball 32) along for the ride, Kumara confidently helped Drouin overcome some brief wobbles in the middle overs to seal a five-wicket win in the 37th over.