Ellinbank on top Division 3

Ellinbank (6-173) def. Yarragon (9-148): Ellinbank maintained their spot on top of the division three table with a 25-run win over Yarragon in their clash at the weekend, with a number of handy batting contributions helping them to the win.

Having elected to bat first, Nathan Van Steensel and Matt Farthing were on fire early, and ensured that the runs were flowing.

Matthew Barrand (25) and Matthew Robertson (21) kept the momentum going towards the end of the innings and despite an eight-over spell of 1-14 from John Buckland the Bankers made 5-173.

In reply, John Allsop was again in ominous form, blasting several boundaries to kick-start the Panthers’ chase, but his wicket was the catalyst for the Ellinbank win.

Matt Guy was able to induce a false shot when All- sop was on 56, and from 1-87 Yarragon collapsed to finish 9-148.

Drouin turn tables

Drouin (4-202) def. Jindivick (5-199): Having been on the receiving end of a 200 plus chase in round six, Drouin turned the tables on Saturday with a rousing chase.

Having been sent into the field, the Hawks were on the receiving end of some excellent batting from Mark Robinson (64), Jordan Larkman (45) and Kyan Boadle (28).

The Jumping Jacks batsmen helped carry the total to 5-199 before the change of innings and they would no doubt have been confident of victory.

However, Jude Fernando struck a brilliant 80 and Robert Simpson a handy 45* to help Drouin over the line in 38th over, with the Jindivick change bowlers feeling the brunt of the onslaught.

Crows crushed

Western Park (1-98) def. Longwarry (94): Following their gritty win over Drouin last round, Western Park found the going slightly easier against Longwarry, with the Warriors taking home a crushing nine-wicket win.

Electing to bowl first, Western Park snared early scalps, and from then on it was nigh on impossible for Longwarry to fight back.

Jessie Lafrantz, Evan Wright, and Nick Pullen did their best to fightback with some handy contributions, but Wright’s dismissal – spooning a rank halftracker from Kirk Dalziell to gully – summed up their day.

Longwarry were soon dismissed for 94 as Rod Breeden snared 5-7, leaving Western Park with a modest chase.

Stephen Briggs recaptured some of his best boundary hitting form with a 33-ball 39, while Kristian Thompson enjoyed some valuable time in the middle as he made an unbeaten 25 as the Warriors eased home in the 21st over.

Comfortable chase

Buln (3-177) def. Iona (6-169): Iona’s bowling again proved to be a weakness on the weekend, as the Swamp Tigers couldn’t prevent Buln from taking out a comfortable seven-wicket win.

After being sent into bat, Iona compiled a handy first innings total of 6-169, with Jayson Barwick leading the way with an impressive knock of 75.

Mick Taylor chimed in with 33 of his own, and Iona would have been hopeful of claiming their first win for the summer.

However, after losing three early wickets, the Buln middle order took over and Nuttall (52*) and Mitch Jolly (76*) added an unbeaten 129 for the fourth wicket to help the Lyrebirds over the line in the 37th over. S. Batson - W/P F. Duncan - Hall C. Serong - Hall

D. Ferguson - Neer106no E. Lovejoy - Wgl 104no J. McKellar - Byp 70no

J. Fernando - Drn M. Jolly - Buln J. Barwick - Iona

W. Darcy - Neer D. Sell - Buln W. Danks - G/T

D. Fawcet - Neer A. McCann - Neer K. McKenna - Lwy

R. Harper - Drn 57no D. Vandenberge - G/T 54no J. Mulqeen - Wgl 52

T. North - Hal/Ell J. Serong - Lwy

C. Stern - Ell/Wgl H. Stephens - Lwy F. Fox - Lwy 100 95 86

80 76no 75

73no 60no 56no

63no 53 51

5/19 51

40no 38 36