by Samuel Laffy
Neerim District (147) def. Jindivick (29)

One of the more extraordinary bowling performances seen in recent years in the WDCA carried Neerim District to a 118-run win over Jindivick in their division two clash, with Dane Fawcett running riot with the new ball.

Having performed a rescue mission with the bat during the Stags' innings – his boundary-laden 46 lifting his side from the depths of 5/49 up to 147 – Fawcett would no doubt have been high on confidence as he stood at the top of his mark at the beginning of the Jumping Jacks' innings.
However, few would have foreseen just how destructive Fawcett would prove to be.
Breaching the defences of Bailey Esler with his third delivery, the talented seamer then trapped Brayden Chandler plumb in front the very next ball.
James Stevenage was caught in two minds soon after, fending a catch to Jack Ward, and when Ranga Brandigampala was run out the scoreboard read 4/8.
Jordan Smith – who himself delivered a stellar spell of bowling, claiming 5/35 – could do naught be depart for one, and Shane Hoskins was rapped on the pads second ball as wickets continued to tumble.
Considering Jindivick were 7/11, Bob Wilkinson's 14 added a scant level of respectability, but even so, Fawcett's 6/18 saw the Jumping Jacks staggeringly dismissed in 17 overs for just 29.
Garfield-Tynong (8/209) drew with Western Park (DNB)
At one point early in James Allen's spell it looked like the boisterous Western Park tweaker was set to entirely decimate Garfield-Tynong, having claimed three victims in the space of just four deliveries, but despite the Englishman's influence the Titans recovered to post a strong first innings total in their rain-affected clash.
A patient 49-run opening stand between Matt Dodman and Jake Ven Den Berghe saw Garfield-Tynong settle mostly for crease occupation as opposed to outright attack, although the pair's intent was somewhat stymied by some quality stump-to-stump bowling from Connor McMahon, Archie Dunn, and Angus Geals.
The introduction of Allen (who claimed 6/58 from 24 quality overs) into the attack soon saw wickets tumble however, with a collapse of 5/29 soon seeing the Titans reeling at 5/78.
Allen continued to trouble Garfield-Tynong through clever changes in pace and his ability to apply drift and drop on the ball, but despite his efforts Tate Burgmann (38*), Grant Pearson (29), and Archer Burgmann (28) showed tremendous grit, and helped carry the Titans to 8/209 at stumps.
Post-game, Titans' Matt Dodman was particularly proud of the fight shown by his side.
"Some great efforts…to stretch the innings out and make them stay out in the heat the entire day. We were really confident after putting a competitive score on the board."
Drouin (9d/209) def. Yarragon (121)
Troy Lehman sent out a timely reminder of his prowess on the weekend, with the seamer snaring a seven-wicket haul that helped Drouin to an 88-run win over Yarragon.
His haul was a firm full stop on what was, for large parts of the match, an even contest, the Panthers fighting back after a 119-run opening stand between Al Gaudion (68) and Jon Perry (54) threatened to career away.
Daniel Haddad (6/34 from 12.5) was the catalyst for Yarragon, tearing through the middle and lower order and ensuring that the Hawks only posted 9/209 when at one stage a much larger total seemed on the cards.
Jake Green (19) and Haddad (15) were encouraging with the bat early on, whilst Brock Glover (56*) settled into his groove, but any hopes they had of snatching victory – or at least batting long enough for the weather to intervene – were dashed by Lehman's wily ways.
Moving the ball prodigiously, he constantly challenged the defensive technique of Yarragon's line-up, and his constant pressure proved too much to overcome for almost everyone.
Twenty overs of quality bowling delivered figures of 7/37, and after 44 overs Drouin had dismissed the Panthers for 121.
Warragul (9/239) drew with Buln Buln (0/3)
Warragul's renaissance continued on the weekend, with the Gulls posting an impressive first innings total against Buln in an eventual rain-affected contest.
It was a performance built on a number of key contributions from some of the perceived lesser lights of the Warragul XI, with Eddie McGillivray and Brandon Interlandi in fine form with the bat.
McGillivray in particular was exceptional, with his rambunctious half century leading the way.
Nine fours and four sixes marked his 96-ball 89, and his enthusiastic endeavours helped the Gulls post 239 before they were dismissed.
The Lyrebirds attack – led by experienced veterans Ricky McKerrow (2/32) and Corey Jagoe (2/30) – were dogged throughout and maintained a consistent line-and-length, but the Warragul batters were content to wait for the eventual loose delivery.
Speaking after the game, Eddie McGillivray praised the way the Gulls approached the encounter, especially looking forward to future matchups.
"We proved we can be adaptive, with key players making non-scores and slight batting order changeups. (It's) a good platform to continue growth and development from a batting perspective."