THE highlight of the weekend’s Warragul and District Cricket Association action was in A-grade division two when Bunyip caused one of the upsets of the season by demolishing premiership favourites Garfield.
In A-grade division one, Hallora had a good victory over potential finals rival Drouin.
A GRADE DIVISION ONE
Hallora stamped its authority over finals rival Drouin after a brilliant bowling display dismissed its batsmen for only 99 in pursuit of 5/178.
Dale Weller took the bowling honours for Drouin snaring 2/40 off eight overs.
The best of the Drouin batsmen were David Sharpe with 30 and Dale Weller 35.
Yarragon is looking to finish the season in a strong fashion after completing a good victory over Ellinbank, while Trafalgar scored 230 and then rolled Buln Buln for 70 in the other weekend contest.
A GRADE DIVISION TWO
Bunyip upset premiership favourite Garfield.
Garfield batted first and managed only 56 with James Brown (17) and Brad Warner (16) the only players to get to double figures.
Bunyip’s Damian Berryman bowled brilliantly, bagging 4/9 off eight overs, while Ian McConnell was equally impressive snaring 3/9.
Bunyip had only two players to make double figures, but those contributions were scores of 87 from Lee Robinson and 40 from Michael Whyte, with Bunyip finishing the day all out for 160.
Garfield’s Alex Marsh hit back after copping plenty of stick early to finish with figures of 4/43.
The match between Drouin and Neerim District finished in a draw after last week’s rain interruption.
Drouin declared its innings closed at 6/193 with Brett Wilson continuing his stunning form with an unbeaten 45.
The main objective was survival and Neerim District finished the day on 7/81.
Chris Hinsley bowled superbly bagging 4/13 off 12 overs and Adam Neumann was also in great form claiming 3/21 off 13.
Iona’s chances of playing finals were dealt a heavy blow after Western Park took the points in the weekend’s encounter.
Iona batted first and was rolled for just 90 with opening batsman Will Grbic top scoring with 21.
Western Park waltzed past Iona’s total and finished the day on 6/207.
Iona’s bowling display was unimpressive with Luke Ferguson gaining the best figures of 1/10.
B GRADE DIVISION ONE
Hallora extended its lead at the top of the table after claiming victory over Drouin.
Drouin batted first and got off to an excellent start as the opening combination of Steve Nottage (32) and Shaun Proctor (36) added 61 runs for the first wicket. Mick Wardle (25) and Colin Smith (21) steadied the ship after the dismissal of both openers with the side finishing its innings on 9/148.
Alby Smethurst got Hallora’s run chase off to the good start, scoring 52 runs at the top of the order including five boundaries. Darien Matthews remained unbeaten on 57 as Hallora finished the day at 7/187.
Simon Gardiner was the only Drouin bowler to make an impact, claiming 2/29 off eight overs.
Trafalgar is now just one win from securing a place in the finals after a victory over Buln Buln, while a poor batting display from Ellinbank saw it crash to defeat at the hands of Yarragon.
B GRADE DIVISION TWO
Bunyip moved to the top of the table after upsetting Garfield.
Bunyip batted first and was bowled out in the 30th over for 123. Peter Smith top scored with a blistering 29, while Sam Wright added 20 runs in the tail.
Garfield’s Andrew Lamb 3/38 and Brad Walker 3/27 bowled well, while opening pair Peter Heywood 2/39 and Brian Burns 2/16 did the job required with the new ball.
Garfield took up the chase and found scoring runs tough. Mark Cousin top scored with 23 while the rest of the middle order battled. Garfield got close, but Bunyip managed to sneak home, dismissing its opponents for 113.
Travis McNamara bagged 4/26 and Steve Trotman was also in good form claiming 3/27.
Western Park took the spoils in the battle of the cellar-dwellers with Iona.
Iona batted first and, after making a solid start, collapsed to be all out for 119 with Oscar Braaksma hitting a quick 31 and Bob Rogers 30.
Aaron McGrath was responsible for the collapse, bagging 6/19 off eight overs.
Western Park started well and made 6/124 in reply.
Iona bowlers Oscar Braaksma 3/26 and Gary Donoghue 2/23 were their team’s best.
Neerim District lost top spot after going down to Warragul.
Neerim batted first and was bowled out for 126 with Warragul’s Richard Parsonage causing the batsmen plenty of problems bagging 4/15.
Warragul batted steadily in the run chase and finished the day 3/140.
Tom Carey was particularly impressive remaining unbeaten on 50, adding an unbeaten stand of 52 for the fourth wicket with Simon Schreyer who scored 30 not out.
C GRADE
Iona moved to second place on the table after claiming victory over Ellinbank.
Ellinbank batted first and could only manage a total of 108, which was not enough in the end.
Iona’s run chase was far from convincing, but it scraped home with Tom McCormack batting through the innings and remaining unbeaten on 52 of the side’s total of 123.
Trafalgar moved into the top four after a good victory over Drouin Maroon.
Trafalgar batted first and scored 9/207 from its 40 overs with Drouin’s Bruce McGillvray claiming the best figures, taking 2/14.
Drouin’s top order faltered in the chase, leaving the side with too much work to do in the finish.
Top scorer was Nick Harper with 35 of the team’s 8/153.
A century from David Leach was not enough to guide Neerim Districts to a win against Buln Buln with the game finishing in a draw.
In the final game Hallora’s great form continued with a strong victory over Yarragon.
