Fairbank flies in Eagles' chase

Ellinbank 6/213 def Warragul 211
A wonderful innings from the master of the chase, Nick Fairbank, has seen the Eagles fly into second spot on the ladder. 
Chasing Warragul’s strong total of 211, the bowler friendly conditions were not put to great use by the visitors, as Ellinbank fought hard to see off the new ball early. Ben Spicer (17) and Matt Farthing (17) chipped in without making large contributions, as the game sat on a knife’s edge for much of the day.

That was until Fairbank strode to the crease.

The dominant left-hander imposed his will and was the difference between the two sides as the game grew tight.

Charlie Wans (2-24) put in his best performance since joining Warragul, helping reduce Ellinbank to 6-194 at one stage, but a mature innings through the rain from Wilson McGillivray (29*) saw his side home, as Ellinbank continues to push their premiership credentials. 

Drouin 8/239 drew Yarragon 5/110
Gamini Kumara was the star of the day as Drouin and Yarragon drew in one of the many rain-affected matches in the WDCA on the weekend. 

Resuming their innings at 2-24, the Panthers started strongly with Jake Borsato (15) chipping in to support Kumara through the first party of the day as the classy right-hander went to work, passing 50 with ease. 

The Sri Lankan reached 63 not out before the heavens opened, as Drouin made a couple of late breakthroughs to give themselves minor hope of pulling off a miracle, unfortunately for the Hawks, with Yarragon 5-110 and still 129 runs in arrears, stumps was called which saw both teams share the points. 

Hallora 21 & 208 def by Neerim District 76 and 0/47.
After a wild and wacky first day, normality resumed at Hallora on the weekend, as the rain won the day.

Resuming with a lead of 42 and six wickets remaining, the home side continued their push for a reverse outright, as the middle-order found form and looked to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Brett Williams (44) looked to solidify his place in the line-up with a mature knock, whilst Aidan Phillips (28*) and Tom Williams (27) added some crucial late runs to give the Kangas a sizeable lead to alleviate fears of an outright loss, as they amassed 208 after just 21 the week before and a lead of 153. 

For the Stags, Matt Kelliher (3-29) showed promise with the ball, whilst Dane Fawcett (3-43) continued his ridiculous form with the Kookaburra, taking key wickets to slow the Hallora momentum.

In reply, Neerim were rocked early as Aaron Fawcett was forced to retire hurt, however, Nathan Bayne (19*) and Rhys George (14*) batted through unscathed, as the game petered out and then was concluded early, with the Stags taking six points. 

Western Park 233 drew Buln Buln 3/111
Buln Buln grinded hard with the bat to draw with league leaders Western Park on the weekend.

Chasing 234 on a pitch that offered plenty of pace and carry, Lachie Jagoe (26) took the shine off the ball early, blunting the Warrior attack.

Brent Eastwell (34*) continued this momentum up until the tea break, as Buln reached 3-111 off 49 overs and seemed to be prepared to give themselves a late shot at producing a boil-over against their rivals from the West of Warragul.

Sadly, however, the game was unable to reach a thrilling conclusion, as rain won the day and the teams had to be content with sharing the spoils.