Warragul and District Cricket Association

LAST weekend’s cricket was one of the most exciting in memory with big upsets, a double century, several centuries and two outstanding bowling performances.

A GRADE (1)

David Sharpe played one of the innings of the season, belting a remarkable double century as Drouin cruised to victory over Ellinbank. Sharpe went on to reach 212 and Drouin a total of 5/372 from its 80 overs.
Drouin’s opening pair of Sharpe and Dale Weller (32) added 74 for the first wicket before Sharpe dominated a partnership of 58 with Clinton Proctor (19).
Sharpe then combined with Trevor Gardiner to add 159 for the third wicket, Sharpe reaching his century.
Gardiner played extremely well for his 53, giving Sharpe outstanding support.
John Reid (2/91) and Chris Perry (2/27) were the only Ellinbank bowlers able to claim a couple of scalps on an extremely tough day.
Yarragon’s Brad Wright continued to his century before being dismissed for 119 when Yarragon took its total to 228.
Warragul started solidly before striking trouble at 4/68.
Alan Jansen battled on as Warragul set about resurrecting the innings and contributed to handy partnerships on his way to 55.
Craig Black (26) supported Jansen well, adding 60 for the sixth wicket before both fell quickly.
The tail was unable to wag and Warragul was bowled out for 167.
The result left Yarragon just one point outside the top four.
John Allsop was the best of the bowlers snaring 4/24 off 10 overs including the vital scalps of Jansen and Black.
Jason Hopkins’ seven overs had a massive impact, claiming 3/25.
Hallora continued its strong hold over the competition with a crushing victory over Buln Buln.
Hallora chased 165 for victory and reached the target with ease, scoring 5/345 off 85 overs.
James McMahon recorded his third century in a row scoring, a stunning 108 including three sixes.
Western Park remained in the top four after brilliant innings from Dale Fawcett (130) and A. Mason (95) led the side to a comfortable victory over Trafalgar.

A GRADE (2)

Garfield’s Bernie Marson ripped through Western Park’s top and lower order to claim 7/45 and destroy any chance of an upset.
Daniel Hilton (30) was dismissed in the first over of the day, Western Park collapsing to 6/98 before reaching 155, 14 runs short of victory. Alex Marsh supported Marson with 3/41 off 17 overs.Drouin notched up a sound victory over a struggling Jindivick.
Drouin declared at 6/126, four runs ahead of Jindivick’s total.
Cam Bawden top-scored for Drouin with 31, while Mark Kinderman did well for Jindivick, claiming 3/15.
Jindivick batted again and finished the day 8/132.
A top-order collapse took away any hope for Neerim Districts against Bunyip.
Only one of the side’s top five managed double figures and Neerim Districts was reduced to 5/39.
Matt Leach (25) and Mark Pinkerton set about restoring order and Pinkerton went on to make 56.
A dashing innings towards the final stages of the match from M. Cumming (41) took the score to 9/212.
Adrian Bray was his usual miserly self with the ball, claiming 3/54 off 27 overs, while Damian Berryman picked up 3/47 off his 15 overs.
Longwarry moved to top spot after an outright victory over Iona.
Longwarry declared at 3/162 before the resumption and sent Iona back in to stave off outright defeat. But the batsmen struggled to cope with excellent bowling and was bowled out for a miserable 88. Aaron Thomas (3/22) and Bob Thomas (3/24) were responsible for the majority of the second-innings carnage.

B GRADE (1)

Drouin completed a strong victory over Ellinbank thanks to Brad Jackson (4/28) and Greg Vincent (3/15).
Ellinbank’s batsmen had no answers and were bowled out for 92.
Trafalgar remained just one win away from the top four after a good victory over Longwarry.
Longwarry started its innings poorly and tumbled to 5/31. Sam Butler (33) and Mark Serong (28) attempted a recovery and Leif Rasmussen remained unbeaten on 50 in the side’s total of 152.
Warragul romped to victory against Yarragon. Yarragon was chasing 219 for victory but was all out for 138.

B GRADE (2)

Neerim District’s Dave Ward achieved the remarkable feat of claiming nine wickets to demolish Bunyip.
Bunyip capitulated to 9/153, Ward finishing the day with the great figures of 9/29 from 22.1 overs.
Garfield found its form and was firmly placed in the top four after a massive victory over Western Park. Chasing 285, Western Park was bowled out for 121 in 38 overs.
Andrew Lamb bowled well, picking up 4/36, while Shane Reid snared 3/40.
Iona recorded its first victory of the season with a shock result over Longwarry.
Chasing just 135, Longwarry found itself in early trouble and never recovered, being all out for 121.

C GRADE

Hallora completed a strong victory over Drouin Maroon.
Hallora’s bowlers were in great form with Drouin Maroon bowled all out for 93. Young opener Jake Harper batted well for his 23 and top-scored for Drouin.
Iona consolidated a spot in the four after defeating Buln Buln.
Tim Eurell made 64 and Iona reached 170.
Danny McGrath was the best of the Buln Buln bowlers, bagging 5/54.
Iona then chased outright victory but Buln Buln scored 158 in its second innings, averting the result.
Longwarry fought hard against Trafalgar and was rewarded with a good victory, the highlight being an outstanding 44 from Phil Bourke.
Drouin Gold claimed outright victory over Ellinbank.
After being in trouble early, Ellinbank scored 124 and Drouin achieved the target comfortably, finishing the day at 5/159 with Ryan Radford cracking 65 and Justin Hill 63.
In the final game Yarragon hit back strongly after last round’s crushing defeat by completing an excellent victory over Neerim District.