By JARROD POTTER
WDCA – Round 13 (One day)
DONNING the coloured gear for a crucial penultimate round slog, Ellinbank (108) almost created the upset of the season as it narrowly conceded the points to Western Park (118).
With only Kade Burns (30) getting a start on the weekend, as the rest faltered in the face of John Reid (3/10) and Mathew Guy (2/6). It left the Parkers’ bowlers to defend their top-spot status and the Ellinbank innings eerily mirrored the first innings. Top scorer was Reid (30) – from number four ‘a la Burns’ – but this time the tail put in for a big wag. Burns (3/26) and Chris Perry (3/22) worked their way to the tail, but couldn’t stop Brad Berry (18) and Michael Pandolfo (15) taking the visitors close to the pin. Berry bowled Perry putting an end to the partnership, but Pandolfo carried on getting Ellinbank within 10 before his demise.
Flat-track bullying the wooden spooners Bunyip (157) were Drouin (3/274) who posted a 254-run stand between David Sharpe (139 not out) and Tim Rasmussen (104). Simon Gardiner (5/22) made sure the response wouldn’t flourish as Bunyip fell well short.
The pain continued for Yarragon (60), who were torn apart ten ways by Buln Buln (0/61), as it did for Neerim District (84), which was swamped by Hallora (172).
In Division 2 Garfield-Tynong (9/109) could not halt Drouin’s (6/110) rampage while Dale Serong (98) went the tonk for Longwarry (9/217) against Jindivick (8/153) before Troy Lehman (5/11) stole the show with the ball.
Hallora (5/224) was led by Grant Williams (106) to unsettle Warragul (122), while Iona (4/205) held on by a whisker against Western Park (204) on the back of economical efforts from Alex Gaudion (5/27).
