by Joel Batson
Division 1
Western Park v Ellinbank
After almost a month of no cricket, the standard certainly hadn't dropped as two finals fancies played a rollercoaster thriller on the weekend.
Losing the toss and sent in against last year's premiers, Western Park made a rollicking start as the dynamic duo of Jack Armour and Sanjaya Gangodawila made mincemeat of the potent Ellinbank attack.
Due to wet weather, the match was played on the synthetic of the Western Park Cricket Ground, and with a miniscule boundary on the Tarwin St. side, the visitors couldn't stem the flow of runs as Gangodawila (58) made a brisk half-century.
The Eagles fought back after the midway point through another fantastic spell from Jeremy Gray who claimed two quick wickets, that of Sam Batson (9) and Ellis Whiteford (4), as the match tightened.
The Warriors were able to get a couple of brisk knocks to continue the momentum - from Jason Croft (14) and Greg Munro (10) - however it was the new expansive game from Jack Armour, fuelled by the sights and sounds of "The Bay," who tore Ellinbank apart like he was in the greater Mornington area.
The WDCA representative made his highest score for the club, smashing 88 before falling agonisingly short of a maiden WDCA century, as Curtis Howell (3-35) did his damage at the death to leave the Eagles a chase of 205 for victory as the day wore on.
Ellinbank's chase started poorly as neither Sean Masterson (13) or Matt Brewer (0) made a dent in the target, however, it was the reliable pair of Nick Fairbank and Matt Farthing who were able to take it up to the home side.
Farthing (50) played his usual anchor role, similar to Armour, as he watched from the other end while Fairbank (44) threatened to pull off another miracle chase singlehandedly and continue his love affair against Western Park.
The pair would add 74, but Fairbank wasn't to have a fairytale innings as he holed out in the deep, sparking a collapse of 6-36 that seemed to end proceedings. Ellis Whiteford (3-40) was the catalyst for this, and his voice grew louder as Western Park were all but assured victory, but they didn't account for miracle man Gray.
The burly right-hander smashed 44 off just 24 balls to pull the match from the fire, adding 69 in seven overs with Daniel Pandolfo (24) to get the visitors within three runs in the final over.
It seemed all but destined for a ridiculous finish, and one last ebb, as this time star-man Sam Batson (2-28) would come to the fore, playing a part in a run-out and then final wicket which claimed Western Park six points, and resigned Ellinbank to the bottom rungs of the ladder.

Hallora v Catani
Hallora has claimed an all-impor