by Samuel Laffy
Yarragon (145) vs Buln Buln (2/10)
As has been the case on many occasions this summer, Yarragon produced prolonged periods of success in their round 13 clash with Buln Buln and many will be keen to see if the Panthers can cause one of the upsets of the season next weekend, with the Lyrebirds in a difficult position at stumps.
Overcoming testing spells of bowling from Sam Reid (3/36 from 17), and late-season recruit Ratnayake Elvaladeniya (3/32 off 15), Brock Glover (who made 27) and Jake Green (who again led the way for his side with a wonderful 47) lifted Yarragon to 145 before they were dismissed in the 58th over.
Any hopes Buln had of quickly erasing some of that target were soon dashed however, with Angus Kirkham and Addison Cumming producing a quality nine-over burst that reduced the Lyrebirds to 2/10 at stumps.
Pressure will lie firmly on the shoulders of the likes of Brayden Notman and Lachlan Jagoe to help their side seal a finals berth next weekend.
Western Park (1/13) vs Warragul (110)
In what in the eyes of many is a virtual sudden death knock-out, Western Park hold the upper hand in their round 13 clash with Warragul, with the Warriors able to seal a finals berth if they chase the remaining 98 runs required next weekend.
For much of the day the surface at Western Park Reserve proved difficult for batters, with the run rate reduced to a crawl on the back of some accurate line-and-length bowling.
Oscar Sheehan in particular deserves praise for his stellar 23-over spell, with the seamer snaring 6/48 in yet another display of his potential with the new ball.
James Allen chimed in with 3/26 (although by his own admission he wasn't quite at his best), and Tom Fawcett constantly tested the batters with his stump-to-stump approach as the Gulls made their way to 100 from 61.4 overs.
Matt Wakefield (a patient 33) was the best of the lot for Warragul.
In reply, the Warriors lost Dale Fawcett without scoring after he skied an attempted pull – the full-length chance taken by Warragul's wicketkeeper – as Western Park finished the day at 1/13.
Garfield-Tynong (1/55) vs Neerim District (82)
The top of the table clash between Garfield-Tynong and Neerim District resembled more of an entirely uneven contest on Saturday, with the Titans decimating their fellow finals hopefuls.
On the back of one of the more unrelenting bowling displays seen in division two this summer, Garfield-Tynong flexed their muscles with ball in hand as Krishan Rangajith (3/14 from 14 mostly unplayable overs) and Brayden Ridler (3/28 off 13) went merrily about their way.
Only Rhys George – who struck a patient 25 opening up – and Ben Lockett (who boosted the total late with 31) showed any fight as the Stags were dismissed for 82 in the 44th over.
Dane Fawcett – who has been one of the premier quicks in division two – snared the early scalp of Ridler (caught behind for just eight after prodding at a ball on a fifth stump line).
But, Luke Wilson (a rambunctious 35*) and Sean Somers (a watchful 8* from 71) combined for an unbeaten 44-run second-wicket stand that saw Garfield-Tynong finish the day's play at 1/55.
Drouin (8/140) vs Jindivick (84)
For most cricketers, a bag of wickets or a half-century is oft enough to satisfy them for the foreseeable future,
But Paul Timewell decided that he wasn't content with a staggering eight-wicket haul, instead needing to add 55* on a day where 18 wickets fell for just 224 runs in Drouin's clash with Jindivick.
Whilst neither side have finals to look forward to pride is still very much a driver in these late-season clashes and Timewell put together one of the more impressive all-round displays seen in recent WDCA history.
Taking the new-ball on a helpful Bellbird Park surface, Timewell had an incredible immediate impact, snaring 4/0 from his first four overs.
The Jumping Jacks XI were helpless against his seamers, and at 5/12 the situation was dire.
Jordan Smith (25) and Ranga Brandigampala (24*) did their best to counterattack but Timewell proved far too polished, snaring 8/23 from 15.4 overs to dismiss Jindivick for 84.
With Brandigampala (3/15 from 6) and Smith (1/16 off 8) keen to atone the going was tough for many of the Drouin batters, but Timewell (55* from just 61 balls with six fours and a six) once again showed his class, and helped the Hawks to 8/140 at stumps.