Crows claim final-over thriller

by Samuel Laffy
Hallora (7/190) def. by Longwarry (9/191)
Having fallen just short in a nail-biting chase against Western Park in round two, Hallora were forced to endure another heartbreaking loss to start the summer as Longwarry clinched a one-wicket win off the second last ball of the game.
Tom Williams (51 from 66) and Rob Templeton (47* off just 37 balls) had batted with aplomb to enable the Kangaroos to set a competitive total, the pair mixing watchful defence with some brutal pulls and sweeps that challenged the Crows' attack.
Zac Wright (3/38) and Ali Sarosh (3/38) impressed in the bowling but Hallora's eventual total of 7/190 was still a formidable one.
Isaac Carney (34 from 40) kick-started the Longwarry chase with a trio of boundaries from Alex Donnelly, and his impish innings inspired his teammates to follow suit as Finn O'Hara (28), Heath Darcy (24) and Shayne Gillings (33 off 26) continued the attack.
Gillings was particularly harsh on Jack Donohue, twice sending the seamer over the mid-wicket fence, but to Hallora's credit they maintained their line-and-length and made regular breakthroughs to stymie the Crows' momentum.
As the game reached its crescendo some wayward bowling from Donnelly – who sent down five wides and a no-ball in the 39th over – ensured rash shots weren't required from Longwarry. And despite Luke Nieuwerth skittling Connor Bennett with four runs needed, Daniel and Aiden Waite were able to scamper the remaining runs to see the Crows through to 9/191.
Buln Buln (7/231) def. Iona (5/230)
Whilst off-field struggles have seen Buln Buln forced to withdraw their second XI from the division four competition, the Lyrebirds' first XI sent a reminder to the WDCA that they will continue to compete strongly in division two as they snatched a staggering three-wicket win over Iona.
However, for large swathes of the Swamp Tigers' innings it seemed as though a Buln Buln victory would be almost impossible, such was the freedom with which Carter Davis (51 off 54) and Liam Lenders (55 from 58) batted.
Anchoring it all – as Iona made their way to 5/230 – was Graeme Rankin, the veteran once again reminding the WDCA of his standing as one of the all-time greats.
Whilst he's struck countless centuries across the journey, this unbeaten 101 would no doubt go down as one of his more memorable. His control and ability to manipulate the bowlers to match his intent is uncanny and was on full display on Saturday.
However, even a knock like Rankin's wasn't enough to deny Buln Buln, as they set about chasing with gusto from the get-go.
Corey Jagoe (27 off 12) ensured the Lyrebirds raced to 0/43 inside the first four overs, and the likes of Lachlan and Jesse Jagoe and William McKerrow chimed in with cameos to carry on the momentum.
Wilson Pollock (47 from 45) delivered some typically lusty hitting, and Musa Faisal Wahid (35*) belied his youth courtesy of a crucial knock in the latter part of the chase.
Jordan Coutts (4/34) did his best to inspire the Swamp Tigers thanks to regular breakthroughs, but Buln Buln were not to be denied, reaching 7/231 in the 38th over, much to the delight of Jagoe when quizzed post-game.
"The kids have been brilliant to start the year. Musa especially batted brilliantly, and Will McKerrow was great with bat and ball."
Western Park (1/128) def. Drouin (124)
Dale Fawcett's fortuitous half-century helped Western Park romp to a nine-wicket win over Drouin in their round three clash, with the Warriors veteran once again using his keen eye and quick wrists to sap the opposition attack's confidence.
He gained early momentum through thrashing Angus Hales to the fence twice in the fourth over of the contest, the Hawks seamer unable to maintain control.
A promising opening stand was curtailed when Tyler McMillan flashed at a Luke Hill delivery and was sharply caught by Tim Lappin in slip, but despite Fawcett offering a host of chances to the Drouin fielders that was the only scalp claimed by the Hawks' attack.
Bob Wilkinson felt the full force of Fawcett's blade in the 14th over, a quartet of boundaries rounding out an over that was pummelled for 19.
From then on the Western Park duo cruised as they compiled a 102-run unbeaten second-wicket stand that saw the Warriors through to 1/128 in the 28th over, Fawcett finishing 73* and Barnes chiming in with 30*.
Earlier in the day, a new-ball clinic from Connor McMahon (3/23) and Dave Burn (2/24) rattled the Drouin line-up, and despite a classy 38 from Dulip Liyanage, the Hawks could only manage 124, a total that was never likely to challenge Western Park.
Garfield-Tynong (3/126) def. Yarragon (122)
Having snuck over the line in in their round two clash with Buln Buln, Garfield-Tynong enjoyed a more comfortable victory on Saturday as they notched a seven-wicket win over Yarragon.
A disciplined bowling performance set the tone for the Titans, with Brayden Ridler (3/18 off 8) in particularly fine form.
His removal of Laytten Smith – who flashed at a wider delivery but only succeeded in edging the ball through to Jack Salan – was a crucial breakthrough early in the piece and from then on Garfield-Tynong dominated.
Madhawa Fonseka (32 from 45) batted intelligently but with Ethan Craven (3/23) and Archer Burgmann (2/27) maintaining a metronomic line-and-length the Panthers were never able to break the shackles. Burgmann's removal of Fonseka – who skied an attempted lofted drive to mid-off – triggered a collapse to end the innings, Yarragon all out for 122 in the 38th over.
In reply, the Titans lost Salan early, the opener skittled by a ball that kept slightly low from Addison Cumming, but Matt Dodman (a measured 55) and Burgmann (28) ensured there would be no nerves this time around, Garfield-Tynong reaching 3/126 in the 36th over.
Speaking after the game, Dodman pointed to the form of his bowlers as a crucial component in their early wins.
"We were much better with the stick at the pointy end of this chase than last week. We were one short with Ricky (Miller) injured, Brayden really took charge of our bowling group and led from the front. It was great for Craven and O'Hara to get their first wickets for the first XI too. Just really happy with our ability to contain with the ball."