By Tyler Lewis
WDCA – DIVISION 1
ROUND 11
REVIEW
There was an entrée to finals cricket at Dowton Reserve on Saturday as top sides Yarragon and Hallora competed in a clash of the titans of Warragul District cricket.
Hallora skipper James Williams called correctly at the toss and elected for his side to wield the willow first.
Not much went right for the visiting side after winning the toss, especially when Gamini Kumara and Kurt Borsato partnered up for a clinical display of bowling.
Hallora was 5/92 before Kumara (2/6) and Borsato (2/12) ran riot.
The Yarragon pair quickly finished Hallora off, claiming 5/5 to ultimately secure the win.
In the second innings, Yarragon took the chase deep into the innings, before recording the win in the 37th over with seven wickets in hand.
There is now two points that separate first from third in a log jam at the top of the table.
Ellinbank stayed in the hunt of the top end with a solid win over Neerim District on Saturday.
The Eagles restricted Neerim to 9/145 from its 45 overs, with the talented Sean Masterson snagging 5/26.
In reply, a quick-fire 79 from opener Troy Ferguson guided the Eagles to victory, his knock included 10 boundaries and one maximum as Ellinbank passed the target in the 30th over with eight men in the pavilion.
Over at Tynong Recreational Reserve, it was a Batson who did the damage once again for Western Park, this time Joel.
Joel secured his first half-century of the season with a fighting 61, while Asantha Singappuuli cobiled 55 at the top of the order.
The visitors posted 184, dismissed in the final over of the first innings.
In reply, it was Singappuuli again who completed a sublime all-round match, jagging 4/22 with the ball as Garfield-Tynong fell 43 runs short of the target.
Drouin remained in touch with the top five after a commanding win over Buln Buln.
Bowling first, Drouin was immediately in the box seat after a frightening spell of bowling from Simon Gardiner who claimed 3/5 from nine overs with six maidens.
The visitors could only manage 63 runs with the bat, which was handled comfortably from Buln Buln, who passed the total inside 17 overs with nine wickets in hand.
