by Samuel Laffy
Buln Buln (8/169) def. Warragul (163)
As Buln Buln's Brad Monson stood at the top of his mark with one ball left in the 39th over, he no doubt would have been nervous, as a last gasp 10th-wicket stand between Kyle Baker and Ben Warren-Smith had carried Warragul to within one hit of a sensational victory.
However, the youngster was able to push any doubts aside, rapping Warren-Smith on the pads and claiming the final Gulls wicket to seal a six-run win for the Lyrebirds.
The game between the top four rivals lived up to all expectations set by supporters on both sides, with each side seizing (and then losing) momentum as the game progressed.
Corey Jagoe (a 36-ball 45) and Brayden Notman (an equally boundary-laden 45) had threatened to carry Buln to a fearsome first-innings total early in the day, with the run rate hovering above seven an over in the early part, but superb spells from Brandon Interlandi (2/28) and Lachlan Ramage (1/12 off 8) stymied scoring and helped Warragul restrict the Lyrebirds to 8/169.
Patrick Mulqueen (23) and Ramage (32) then added 42 for the first wicket to hand the advantage to the Gulls, only for Jagoe (3/23) and Sam Reid (2/22) to fightback with ball in hand.
At 9/135 Warragul's chances seemed almost extinguished, but Baker (an excellent 23*) and Warren-Smith (9) battled valiantly to reignite their hopes.
As it was though, Monson's unerring accuracy proved too much to overcome, the Gulls dismissed for 163.
Neerim District (8/215) def. Jindivick (74)
Neerim District kept touch with the division two top four thanks to a rollicking 141-run win over Jindivick, with the Stags delivering a quality all-round display.
However, it wasn't plain sailing early on, as Neerim District found themselves in a spot of bother at 4/52 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Jordan Smith (2/21) and Bob Wilkinson (1/32) troubled the top order with the new ball, with their ability to move the ball off the seam on full display, but the Jumping Jacks hopes of running through the Stags' middle and lower orders were soon dashed by Dane Fawcett and Toby Bayne.
Combining for a 128-run fifth wicket stand, Fawcett (a sparkling 46) and Bayne (a 70-ball 79 fuelled by five sixes) overwhelmed the rest of the Jindivick attack, with their ability to disrupt rhythm a feature of their partnership.
Together they carried Neerim District to 8/215 at the end of their allotted overs, a target that would no doubt challenge Jindivick.
The Stags couldn't have predicted the ease with which they dismantled the Jumping Jacks line-up however, with Fawcett (5/22) and Bayne (2/12) again leading the charge.
Shayne Gillings (12) and James Stevenage (13) were the only players able to make it double figures as Jindivick found themselves bundled out for just 74 in the 30th over.
Garfield-Tynong (2/54) def. Western Park (50)
Having notched an astonishing 270-run win over Yarragon in the final round before the Christmas break, Western Park crashed back to earth in dramatic fashion, finding themselves on the receiving end of an embarrassing defeat on Saturday as they slumped to an eight-wicket loss against Garfield-Tynong.
On a pitch that provided the odd headache – with variable bounce leaving batters caught in two minds whether to go forward or back – the Titans' bowlers never allowed their opponents to settle at the crease.
Krishan Rangajith (3/14), Grant Pearson (4/12), and Kasun Ranasinghe (2/11) constantly tested the techniques of the Western Park line-up.
Only Andrew Thompson – in his division two debut – was able to make it to double figures (making a gritty 20*), and after just 23.3 overs the Warriors were bundled out for 50.
Tom Fawcett (2/27) did his best to find a way back into the game for Western Park, delivering a fine opening spell, but with so few runs on the board the Garfield-Tynong top order had the freedom to attack.
Matt Dodman (26*) and Ranasinghe (5*) safely saw their side to victory – and maintained the Titans' position atop the division two table – as just 12.5 overs were needed to reach 2/54.
Drouin (3/115) def. Yarragon (113)
Adin Short's excellent innings helped Drouin claim a seven-wicket win over Yarragon in their round 10 clash, with his boisterous knock of 44* enabling the Hawks to overcome some testing bowling from the Panthers.
In pursuit of 113, Daniel Haddad (1/40) and Angus Kirkham (1/29) provided early hope for Yarragon, removing Al Gaudion (13) and Lochie Downie (10) cheaply, but Short quickly put to rest any thoughts of an upset loss, with his clean ball-striking quickly seizing the momentum for Drouin.
With Paul Timewell (23) providing support, the duo added 43 for the third wicket and helped see the Hawks reach 3/115 in the 27th over.
Earlier in the day Brock Glover struck a superb 38 and Kirkham made 24 down the order, but the rest of the Panthers' batters struggled to match their efforts.
Paul Timewell (2/22) and John Perry (2/20) delivered typically economical spells, and their build-up of pressure ensured Yarragon mistakes followed, as the Panthers were dismissed in the 39th over.