IONA’S first XI failed to defend a modest 82 against Buln Buln in Warragul and District Cricket Association on Saturday
Buln Buln continued from 4/63 and Iona started well, claiming the big wicket of Corey Jagoe early, thanks to Scott Hoare.
Then, 22 runs later, J. Rowe became Hoare’s fourth victim as he fell for seven and Buln was 6/98.
G. Pask played an excellent innings as he scored 45 before falling to George Lineham and Luke Ferguson picked up two more quick wickets to have Buln 9/130.
It was then up to J. Taylor and D. Black to save the day for Buln and that’s just what they did as the pair put on 40 for the last wicket.
Taylor was dismissed on 21 and Black was not out on 15.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SECONDS
Iona continued batting against Warragul at 0/43, chasing 126, with the combination of Jason Kelly and Jason Sheedy soon taking their partnership past 50.
Sheedy though looked shaky and was dismissed lbw by Barry Lea for 28, ending a 72run opening stand. Kelly then combined with Shaun McCormack to put on a quickfire secondwicket partnership of 71. In that time Kelly surpassed 50 and McCormack played some scintillating strokes before hauling out in the deep for a dashing 41 and Dave Kelly fell just before the break on 12.
After tea, Jason Kelly, with the support of Bob Rogers, headed towards his second century of the season, but not without a stroke of luck as a skied ball went down when he was on 80 odd.
A flick off the pads for one when he was on 99 brought up his ton and just after that Rogers was caught on 15.
However the day belonged to Kelly as for the second time this season he remained unbeaten on 108 and Iona finished 4/237.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:THIRDS
Iona went down to Buln Buln, but not without a fight, slipping from 0/48 to 4/67.
Raymond Campbell then returned to the crease after retiring hurt last week and in a swashbuckling innings blasted the Buln bowlers as he along with Russell Ferguson went about getting Iona back in the game.
They succeeded as the total reached 141 before Campbell was caught on 56.
Ferguson continued to battle before falling for 33, but the tail apart from John Martindale with 11 not out were unable to with stand the pressure and were bowled out for 160.
For Buln, Brian Sell took 4/42 and D. Ballantyne took 3/31.