Blazing century helps Neerim to T20 victory

A blazing century to Neerim District’s Ash Lockett proved the highlight of the second round of Warragul District Cricket Association’s T20 competition.

Lockett’s century helped the Stags account for Buln Buln in a tight A grade competition, where all four teams have one win and one loss from the opening rounds.

Ellinbank is making the early running in B grade with two wins from Drouin and Jindivick with one win, while Yarragon are yet to collect any points.

It’s tight at the top in C grade with Western Park, Longwarry and Garfield-Tynong all having two wins with Bunyip and Iona yet to get off the mark.

Jindivick look the team to beat early in D grade, although Buln Buln, Warragul, Drouin and Western Park very much remain in the mix. A grade Neerim District v Buln Buln A swashbuckling century to Ash Lockett helped Neerim District account for Buln Buln.

Lockett smashed 102 from 68 balls with his knock including eight fours and two sixes. His knock dominated the innings and he almost carried his bat, falling on the very last ball.

Aaron Fawcett’s unbeaten knock of 24 came at better than a run-a-ball to help boost the Stag’s total to 3/158.

Wickets were shared for Buln Buln with Jackson Noonan, Brent Eastwell and Ryan Bishop each taking one.

Buln Buln’s chase never really got going in reply, with only a handful of cameos coming at a-run-a-ball or better. Jack Armour occupied the crease to top score with 22, but the Lyrebirds lost wickets at regular intervals to hurt their chances.

Toby Bayne impressed with the ball, returning 3/27 from four overs, while Fawcett and Ben Lockett each chipped in with two wickets as Buln Buln finished short on 9/123. Western Park v Hallora Western Park accounted for Hallora in a low scoring affair.

Fraser Duncan scored 53 from 46 balls while James Williams smashed 19 from nine balls, but most other bats struggled as Hallora finished their 20 overs at 9/117.

It wasn’t easy going for Western Park in reply, with Hallora’s attack putting in a disciplined effort led by Grant Duncan with 3/16 from his four overs.

However the total was never going to be quite enough, with the Warriors passing the total on the first ball of the final over for the loss of six wickets. B grade Jindivick v Drouin Jindivick has defeated Drouin in a tight contest.

A 61-run opening partnership between Greg Interlandi and Jarratt Eastburn laid a foundation for the Jumping Jacks, with an unbeaten 30 at the death to captain Steve Dillon helping push the total to 4/156.

Wickets were shared for Drouin with Dylan Serong, Brad Glover, Tom Keily and Paul Timewell.

Keily (37) and Wyatt (31) led the charge at the top of the order, while middle order cameos from Timewell (39) and Serong (21) pushed the Hawks to the brink of victory.

Jindivick held their nerve, bowling the visitor out for 147 in the final over as the Hawks searched for the boundary. Ellinbank v Yarragon A century to Ben Spicer ultimately proved the difference in the match between Ellinbank and Yarragon.

Spicer’s knock of an unbeaten 117 from 68 balls included 11 fours and three sixes, helping the Bankers post 2/191. He was supported by Matthew Farthing with a runa-ball 22 and a late blast from Sean Masterson, who finished unbeaten on 31 from 21 balls.

Chris McCallum tried his best to contain for Yarragon, collecting both wickets.

A rapid 76 from Gamini Kumara, who combined with Paul Harvey in a second wicket partnership of 91, had the Panthers on track to make the chase.

However they fell and Ellinbank seized the momentum through Luke Rogers, who finished with 4/14.

This would see the Panthers ultimately fall short, finishing 7/149.

C grade Garfield-Tynong v Iona Garfield-Tynong easily accounted for Iona. Tate Burgmann blasted 83 including 13 boundaries and a six, finding support from Pete Davidson (37) and Chad McKie (38*) to help the Titans post 4/199.

Sam Accardi was the pick of the bowlers for Iona with 2/26 from four.

Despite a half century to Luke Ferguson, Iona crashed to 78 all out in reply with no other batsmen able to reach double figures.

APK Rangajith (3/24), Davidson (2/7) and Brayden Ridler (2/13) inflicted the damage for the Titans. Bunyip v Longwarry Longwarry’s total of 6/134 proved enough as they held on to defeat Bunyip.

A 50-run stand between Braydon McHugh (40) and Shaun Eckhardt (29) laid the foundation for the Crows’ total.

Jordan Wilkinson took three wickets with the new ball to apply early pressure, which would ultimately see Bunyip fall short at 5/116. Western Park had the bye. D grade Western Park v Jindivick Jindivick were big winners over Western Park.

An unbeaten 62 to Brandon Interlandi and 61 to Dinil Srinath helped the Jumping Jacks to 3/165.

Interlandi took 4/12 from four overs as Western Park crashed to 75 all out. Buln Buln v Drouin Taking wickets at regular intervals helped Buln Buln account for Drouin.

Brayden Fowler scored 48 at the top of the order before Jack Symes (37) and Jarryd Kilday (35*) helped the Lyrebirds post a competitive total of 5/161.

Rhys Fairlie was the multiple wicket taker for Drouin.

Fairlie did his best to leverage Drouin’s chase with 45 but found little support as the Hawks were bowled out for 138 with two overs to spare.

Symes, Lachlan Jagoe and Andrew Burdett each took two wickets for Buln Buln.

Warragul had the bye.