by Samuel Laffy
Western Park (4/137) def. Drouin (133)
Western Park has again claimed victory over Drouin in a top four showdown, with the Warriors ensuring Damon Healy's positive start counted for naught at game's end.
Healy (35 from 38) had for once put Western Park's new ball duo of Sam Batson and Tyler McDonald on the back foot, and together with Troy Lehman (who made 16) added 51 for the first wicket.
Lahiru Jayakody then showcased his ball-striking abilities whilst making a rapid 28, and with the scoreboard reading 2/91 it seemed as though the Hawks might be well placed to hand the Warriors a second consecutive loss.
However, the spin trio of Jason Croft, Ben Clarke, and Gavin Roulston slowed Drouin's scoring through clever changes in pace and length, and whilst attempting to counterattack the Hawks' middle and lower order floundered.
McDonald (3/24) then returned to wrap up the tail and from a position of strength Drouin found themselves dismissed for a below par total of 133.
James Wilcock (2/10 from 5) did his best to inspire a successful defence, removing Roulston for a duck – luring the international opener into an ill-advised swipe that produced a steepling top-edge smartly caught by Jayakody – and snatching a return chance from Joel Batson to have the score 2/14.
Just when the Hawks began to believe though, Sanjaya Gangodawila (37) and Greg Munro (55*) quickly seized the momentum and were able to accelerate against the change bowlers.
After 33.3 overs Western Park reached 4/137, ensuring they remained firmly atop the division one table at the conclusion of the weekend's action.
Ellinbank (8/222) def. Iona (177)
Nick Fairbank and Curtis Howell's rollicking fifth-wicket stand propelled Ellinbank to victory in their clash with Iona, as the Eagles ensured the Swamps Tigers' winless drought continued for another weekend.
Fairbank (a run-a-ball 44) and Howell (a watchful 45) added 107 runs whilst at the crease together, smartly mixing defence with the odd boisterous boundary, and rescuing Ellinbank from the slightly precarious position of 4/62.
Iona's waywardness with ball in hand didn't help their attempts to reduce the flow of runs either, as they sent down a staggering 31 wides – the problem so great that extras second-top scored with 44 for the Eagles.
Wickets were shared around in the Ionan attack but Ellinbank still posted a commanding 8/222 from their allotted overs.
In reply, the likes of Kieran Lenders (27), Josh Bethune (23), and Liam Lenders (a boundary-filled 37-ball 42) looked for a time that they might be able to break their side's run of losses, but none of the trio were able to make the statement innings required to carry the Swamp Tigers to victory.
Howell (3/23) and Sean Masterson (4/39) were key contributors with the ball and were able to make regular breakthroughs as the required run rate increased, with Iona eventually bowled out for 177 in the 38th over.
Hallora (9/168) def. Catani (92)
Catani proved no match for Hallora's bowling depth on Saturday as the Cats slumped to a 76-run defeat that sees them slip further behind in the race for the finals.
Chasing the Kangaroos' 9/168, Catani began their pursuit on the front foot, with Eli Richards and Ned Harrison taking a liking to Aidan Phillips' early offerings.
However, the decision to quickly throw the ball to Grant Duncan changed proceedings almost instantly, with the wily tweaker snaring 2/8 from eight quality overs.
Unerring in his line and length, Duncan removed Harrison for 13 and snared the key scalp of James Vela for just five, and the Cats hopes of victory were quickly dashed.
Phillips (who finished with 4/34) returned to wreak havoc on the middle and lower order, and in the 31st over Catani found themselves dismissed for 92.
Earlier in the day, the Kangaroos' total was made possible thanks to a host of contributors, with the top score just 28 from Tom Williams.
However, Andrew Donohue (25), Kian Burns (22), and James Williams (20) all chimed in with handy knocks, and in typical Halloran fashion the ability of everyone in the XI to contribute shone through.
Ben Coleman (3/27) was the pick of the bowlers for Catani, whilst Raheem Kasser snared 2/21.
The loss for the Cats however leaves them nine points adrift of the top four, and with just three home-and-away games remaining it will be a tough ask for them to bridge that gap.
Longwarry (7/225) def. Trafalgar (196)
Vidusha Hettiarachchige Don's season's-best knock meant Longwarry were able to post a winning total against Trafalgar, as the Crows took home a 29-run win that saw them maintain touch with the division one top four.
Against Jackson Noonan – who has delivered some parsimonious spells this summer – Hettiarachchige Don decided that disrupting the seamer's rhythm early was the key to success.
And with Isaac Carney (16 from just 20 balls) along for the ride, Longwarry's innings began extravagantly.
Quality spells from James Peart (3/48 from 8) and James Pace (2/27) helped to curb the influence of the Crows' middle order somewhat, but Hettiarachchige Don kept attacking, blasting 11 boundaries in his sumptuous knock of 84.
Matthew Aslett took inspiration from his opener in a swashbuckling innings of 45* late in the piece, and Longwarry finished at 7/225 from their 40 overs.
In pursuit, a number of batters made starts for the Ships, but unfortunately for their hopes of an upset victory no-one was able to dig in and notch the dynamic innings needed to carry them to victory.
Youngster Louis Hennessy again impressed with the bat – making a determined 33 – and Rhys Holdsworth (28), Leo Sanczuk (30), and Owen McLeod-Agland (39) all looked solid at the crease.
But the efforts of Matthew Aslett (3/49) and Dom Pullen (3/44) with ball in hand meant their efforts went unrewarded, Trafalgar dismissed for 196 in the 40th over.