By JARROD POTTER
KEEPING Yarragon (167) under wraps, Bunyip (9/263cc) proved too strong at home for the visitors.
From top to bottom it was an impressive rout – Davis McConnell (2/17) and Sam McMillan (2/39) ripped through the upper order before another McConnell – Harry (2/18) – sealed the deal and the emphatic win at the death.
It was Bunyip’s first win this season and pushes the side to sixth on the eight-team Division 1 ladder before its clash next round against Western Park.
Neerim District (132) was no match for top-of-the-ladder Buln Buln (234) following a bowling rampage by Jeff Walsh (6/22).
Walsh devastated the top and middle order, leaving only the lower order fighters to scramble some runs together with Dane Fawcett (41) the best of the remaining batsmen.
Holding on for grim life, the captain’s knock from Hallora’s (136) Fraser Duncan (54no) wasn’t enough to guide his side to victory against Western Park (177).
The top order could not cement itself at the crease as Allan Chandler (3/14) ran riot.
Duncan’s best compatriot was found at number 10 with Toby Wallace (12) – who batted out 69 balls to keep the hopes alive.
Duncan could not find the extra 41 as the side succumbed in 76 overs.
Drouin (4/165dec and 1/22) went for the jugular against Ellinbank (94 and 92) to take maximum points and push into the top four.
A quick declaration set the scene for Ellinbank to defend but struggled to hold out the likes of Brad Glover (4/20) and Ishan Ratnayake (3/33).
Brad Berry showed some resilience, but that was short lived as Ellinbank slumped to its second sub-100 score in as many innings.
Chasing a pittance with a handful of overs remaining, Jordan Wyatt (17no) got the job done to take the outright triumph.
In Division 2, Longwarry (105 and 6/161) held on to avoid outright defeat against Iona (9/225dec) via Sam Pullen (71) and a huge chase from Warragul (6/232) bore fruit against Garfield-Tynong (9/226) as Andrew Best (83) lived up to his moniker, Jindivick (120) failed to fire facing Hallora (5/260cc) and Dale Fawcett’s (85) effort could not be replicated down the order for Western Park (169) against Drouin (9/218).
Division 3 action was highlighted by Bunyip (112 and 9/90) taking first innings points against Yarragon (9/98 and 7/84) in a four-innings wicket-fest while Drouin’s (189 and 1/52) Sam Romari (6/21) held out Neerim District (177).
WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CRICKET COMPETITION – SOUTH EAST
Every step the Pakenham Upper/Toomuc Women’s Cricket team (9/79) takes this season is reaping results, following a much closely fought clash against Yarra Valley (8/145).
The Yabbies chased hard in their own 37 overs but could not rise above the run-rate required.
To their credit, they batted out their overs to finish 9/79 – their second best score this season. (No scorecard available).
