Eagles fall short in division one

by Samuel Laffy
Catani (101) def Ellinbank (97)
What seemed to be a foregone conclusion turned into a nail-biting finish at the Catani Main Oval on Saturday, as Ellinbank fought back from the brink of embarrassment to almost snatch first innings points against the Cats.
In what can only be described as monumental collapse, the Eagles barely survived the first day's play against Catani and resumed at 7/29 – the 73 runs required for victory seemingly impossibly out of reach.
When Daniel Glover (2/20 from 14.5) disturbed the stumps of Mathew Wragg early in the piece – the score now 8/35 – the Cats faithful would no doubt have been optimistic of a very early end to the day's play.
However, as has been muttered by almost everyone to play the game, "cricket is a funny game."
Luke Ferguson (13) and Daniel Pandolfo (in his comeback following an injury suffered against Western Park in round two) showed the resolve that has led Ellinbank to many a finals campaign in recent history.
Pandolfo batted with a sense of freedom that his teammates had been unable to replicate, whilst Ferguson, in his first outing for the summer, shrugged off some rust to chime in with a valuable knock of 13.
However, when Mitch Gregson (1/9 off 9) trapped him in front 39 was still required.
Jack Pandolfo strode to the wicket knowing that if he provided defensive support for Daniel then the Eagles still stood a chance.
Cameron Brown (4/47 from 22) did all he could to make the breakthrough but with every run scored Ellinbank's belief grew.
The pair added 34 for the 10th wicket and soon came within one shot of tying the scores.
However, to the heartbreak of Ellinbank (and the delight of Catani) Glover was able to hold his nerve and induce a false stroke from Daniel Pandolfo (who had batted admirably for 40) to cut the Eagles' innings short at 97.
As noted post-game by Catani's Cameron Brown, the fight shown by Ellinbank was impressive to see, and Catani were grateful to emerge victorious.
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy. Ellinbank fought really well," he said.
"Great effort from our boys to continue fighting and not give up, another great team effort. We take the same mentality into next week's game with Iona as have with every other team – work hard and believe in one another."
Iona (87 and 82) def. by Drouin (9d/91 and 2/79)
At the end of play on day one Iona stood on the precipice of what would surely be one their greatest division one victories.
Drouin were nine down, still requiring 16 runs to win. All it required was one delivery.
And yet at the end of day two the Swamp Tigers found themselves on the receiving end of an outright loss that few thought possible.
Thomas Brown (10* from 49) and Brad Glover (5* off 46) were resolute upon the resumption of play and knew that if they could occupy the crease that the nerves amongst the Ionan attack would grow, and bowlers striving for that 'magic' might err slightly in line and length.
The duo was composed, and calm and their unbeaten 20-run 10th-wicket stand saw the Hawks secure first innings points in the 40th over.
Perhaps sensing that the resolve of Iona had been bruised Drouin declared and quickly set about rampaging through the Swamp Tigers' top order.
Having been 5/16 in their first innings they were now 4/4 in their second and staring down the barrel.
Troy Lehman (3/27 from 9) had the ball on a string and Brad Glover (4/33 off 10) was again in imperious form.
Jess Depasquale (33*) was the lone Ionan batter able to provide resistance as the remainder of the line-up fell away against some unrelenting bowling.
Left with a middling chase to secure maximum points, Damon Healy (16) and Ben Spicer (0) were quickly sent packing by Jackson Clerks (2/19) but Trevor Gardiner (39*) and James Wilcock (19*) swiftly set about chasing down the remaining runs, Drouin reaching 2/79 in the 21st over.
Hallora (158) def. by Western Park (244)
Hallora have long been a powerhouse of the WDCA but they find themselves in unfamiliar territory at the end of ronud six of division one action following their collapse against Western Park, with the Kangaroos slumping to an 86-run defeat at the hands of the Warriors.
Gamini Kumara (a 91-ball 38 that defied the parsimonious efforts of Western Park) was the sole point of resistance for the Kangaroos as Western Park recognised the importance of spin on a wicket that provided little joy for seamers.
Jason Croft (2/37 from 22) and Ellis Whiteford (4/51 off 20) caused endless headaches for the Kangaroos and once they settled into their rhythm there was little that Hallora could do to accelerate the scoring.
Kumara's dismissal – caught by Sanjaya Gangodawila after advancing down the wicket – sparked a collapse that put paid to the Kangaroos' hopes of victory, with the spinners strangling any attempts to build momentum.
The likes of James Williams (19) and Grant Duncan (17*) did their level best to fight back but Matt Garner (3/31 from 10.4) rattled through the tail to bring a hasty end to proceedings.
Western Park face Trafalgar in a top four clash next weekend that will fascinating viewing – especially considering the surprising form of the Ships. Meanwhile, Hallora's schedule doesn't get any easier, as they face Drouin in their Saturday-Sunday round seven encounter.
Longwarry (127) def. by Trafalgar (9d/186)
Rhys Holdsworth is one of the more accomplished batters that's graced the pitches of the WDCA, and on Saturday the Ships superstar notched another stunning half-century to carry Trafalgar to victory in their division one clash against Longwarry.
Resuming at 4/35 – in pursuit of a middling total of 127 – Ships supporters knew that their hopes largely rested in the hands of the unbeaten pairing of Aiden George and Rhys Holdsworth.
And, much to their delight, the duo didn't disappoint.
George was the more reserved of the two, opting (in the eyes of Trafalgan correspondent Liam Durkin) to knock the ball around, whilst Holdsworth was in full pomp.
"He was running down the pitch and holding the pose, embraced the Longwarry keeper after reaching 50, yelling "maybe three" when hitting the ball straight to the fielder," Durkin said.
This confidence was of course thoroughly deserved, as Holdsworth (who finished with 73 from just 80 balls) was in full flight, with no-one outside of Harrison Stephens (who snared 5/38) able to stymie his influence.
George (who compiled 52 from 103) departed only after victory had been reached and after allowing a number of players to enjoy some time in the middle, the game was declared done and dusted at tea with Trafalgar declaring at 9/186 – a 69-run win.
Few in the WDCA would have predicted that the Ships would be comfortably sitting third on the division one table after barely surviving relegation last summer, and this upcoming weekend's Saturday-Sunday encounter with Western Park will be a litmus test for the burgeoning enthusiasm evident in Trafalgar.
Supporters from both sides are urged to descend upon Western Park Reserve for this top-of-the-table clash.