by Samuel Laffy
Yarragon (185) def. Jindivick (9/174)
It's been a season of struggle for Yarragon in division two, but the Panthers finally broke through for their first victory of the summer on Saturday, snatching an upset 11-run win over Jindivick.
Perhaps most pleasingly for Yarragon, the win was made possible thanks to a dedicated team effort, with a host of contributors delivering with both bat and ball.
Batting first, Jake Borsato (20) and Brock Glover (27) were impressive early, but it was a 59-run seventh wicket stand between Daniel Haddad (44 from 52) and Heath Kirkham (19) that was most important, with their rearguard stand enabling the Panthers to post 185 before being dismissed in the 40th over.
Bob Wilkinson (4/40) and Shane Hoskins (2/29) were the pick of the bowlers for Jindivick.
In reply, Rod Huma adopted an aggressive approach, belting six boundaries on his way to 41, but the rest of the top and middle order struggled to match his efforts.
Liam Butterworth (3/33) and Jake Borsato (3/20) did the bulk of the damage, and they helped dismiss the Jumping Jacks for 174.
Shayne Gillings (37*) and Cameron Coster (11) briefly threatened to spoil Yarragon's party with a 39-run ninth wicket stand, but the poor performance of their teammates in the early part of the innings proved too great an obstacle to overcome.Neerim District (9/196) def. Warragul (8/167)
For stretches of Warragul's run chase against Neerim District it seemed as though the Gulls were destined to notch victory over the Stags, as Patrick Mulqueen (a stunning 70) and Lachlan Ramage (a patient 38) combined for a 102-run opening stand.
However, their impressive efforts weren't matched by the remaining batters, as Neerim District triggered a collapse of 8/62 that decimated Warragul's line-up.
Dane Fawcett – who has had an incredible season with the ball – claimed another excellent haul (snaring 4/22 from 8 overs), with his ability to move the ball at pace again on show.
Aaron Fawcett (2/34) and Toby Bayne (1/30) provided stellar support, and they ensured that the Gulls couldn't breach the infield and blast the boundaries required in the latter part of the innings, falling 30 runs short of victory at 8/167.
Earlier in the day, the Stags' total of 9/196 was made possible by a wonderful half-century from Joseph Sheehan, with his 61 anchoring the innings.
Brandon Interlandi (4/46) and Paul Wookey (2/38) did their best to restrict scoring – and Greg Interlandi provided tremendous support behind the stumps, snaring three catches and two stumpings – but the boundary hitting ability of Neerim wasn't to be denied on their way to an eventual winning total.
Garfield-Tynong (4/163) def. Buln Buln (9/162)
Garfield-Tynong extended their lead at the top of the division two table on the weekend, with the Titans taking home a six-wicket over second-placed Buln Buln.
It was a terrific run chase from Garfield-Tynong, with their perfectly paced pursuit ensuring they reached a potentially challenging target.
Buln had posted 9/162 from their 40 overs, with the Lyrebirds led by a host of impressive performances at the top of the order.
Corey Jagoe (26 from just 15 balls) was at his aggressive best early before being undone by a sliding delivery from Krishan Rangajith, and Lachlan Jagoe (42), Brayden Notman (22) and Wilson Pollock (30) also enjoyed their stays at the crease.
However, Rangajith (3/39) and Kasun Ranasinghe (3/12 off 8) had far too much variation and guile for the rest of the Buln line-up, which somewhat stymied their progress.
Ricky McKerrow (2/34 from 8) removed Matt Dodman (20) and Jake Van Den Berghe (8) early – swerving the ball back through the gate to disturb the stumps of both openers.
But Luke Wilson (56) and Ranasinghe (29*) combined for a 64-run third wicket stand that seized back the momentum for the Titans.
Archer Burgmann (22*) then applied the finishing touches as Garfield-Tynong reached 4/163 in the 39th over.
Western Park (9/113) def. Drouin (9/111)
A nail-biting one-wicket win helped Western Park maintain touch with the top four, with Jack Barnes and Oscar Sheehan's last-gasp partnership sealing victory for the Warriors.
In pursuit of the Hawks' 9/111, Henry Allsop provided the perfect start for the Park – striking the ball beautifully on his way to 30 from 46 balls – but the middle order fell apart in the face of a stunning spell from Upinder Taggar.
Matt Jones (1), Alex Gavin (0), and James Allen (5) all fell trying to accelerate the scoring – but succeeding only in picking out fielders – with Kurtis Harper and Andrew Thompson also falling victim to Taggar, who finished with 6/24 from his eight overs.
Adding to the struggles were Tom Fawcett, who left a ball only to watch it cannon into his stumps, and Matt Garner, who was trapped in front second ball to leave Western Park on the precipice of defeat at 9/98.
However, Barnes (an excellent 26*) and Sheehan (6*) were nerveless during their unbeaten 10th wicket stand, working the ball with gusto through gaps in the field and ensuring the Warriors reached victory at 9/113.