Drouin pair lift team to victory
A stunning stand between Oliver Robinson and Clint Gilpin was enough to lift Drouin to a 27-run victory over Neerim District, but it wasn't all plain sailing as a dynamic knock from Drew Ainge threatened to upset the Hawks.
by Samuel Laffy
Drouin (9/185) def. Neerim District (158)
A stunning stand between Oliver Robinson and Clint Gilpin was enough to lift Drouin to a 27-run victory over Neerim District, but it wasn't all plain sailing as a dynamic knock from Drew Ainge threatened to upset the Hawks.
Robinson (a hard-hitting 40) and Clint Gilpin (a boundary-laden 56) took advantage of some loose new-ball bowling from the Stags' attack, and they kept the scoreboard ticking over at a rapid rate.
Cameron Law (4/20 from 7.4) did his best to stymie the flow of runs and received able support from Ainge (3/23), but Drouin nonetheless posted 9/185.
Recognising the need for early momentum, Ainge struck a superb half-century to propel Neerim's pursuit, and Logan Naus (24) and Michael Saunders (21) provided support.
The rising asking rate saw Ainge's innings curtailed on 72 however, and with Robinson (2/16) and Isaiah Glover (2/22) impressing in the middle and latter overs, Drouin were able to dismiss the Stags for 158.
Hallora (8/219) def. Catani (104)
Catani's attack was no match for the boundary-hitting blitz from Hallora on Saturday, with the confines of Athlone Recreation Reserve far too diminutive to restrict the Kangaroos.
Daniel McDonald (34) set the tone early with a pair of sixes, and Daniel Sell (63, including six soaring sixes) and Alan Miller (48* with a host of impressive strikes) matched his intensity. The Halloran trio kept the run-rate high across their allotted overs, helping the Kangaroos post an intimidating 8/219.
Matt Coleman (2/21 from 8) was the pick of the bowlers for the Cats, but the remainder of the Catani attack struggled to match him. In reply, Coleman capped off a fine all-round effort with an aggressive 33, but the Cats weren't able to bat with the same freedom as their opponents as Aaron Summergreen (4/21) and Troy Nieuwerth (2/11 off 6) applied the brakes with the Kookaburra; Catani all out for 104.
Western Park (5/164) def. Garfield-Tynong (8/162)
A rampaging knock from Steven Fricke helped Western Park claim points against Garfield-Tynong in their season opener, with the belligerent batters unbeaten 92 ensuring a successful run-chase.
Facing a somewhat challenging target, Fricke strode to the crease with the Warriors in early trouble as Raman Gautam (sharply caught by Phil Young at short cover for 7) and Toby Maughan (who could only bunt a full-toss to mid-wicket to be out for 4) were sent packing early.
Unperturbed however, Fricke wasted little time in settling into his rhythm, with a brace of bludgeoned straight drives a sign of things to come. Aaron Braaksma (1/44 from 8) created a number of half-chances – with several seaming deliveries top-edged through and over the slips cordon – but was unable to make the incisions needed to halt Western Park's momentum.
Whilst fatigue threatened to curtail Fricke's efforts as the innings progressed, he utilised the tiredness to focus on more selective stroke play and hammered a host of boundaries to and over the mid-wicket fence to quickly seal the victory for the Warriors, reaching 5/164 in the 34th over. Earlier in the day, Phill Young batted with aplomb, targeting gaps in the field and mixing in the odd boundary on his way to 47, and alongside a number of contributions from the middle and lower order helped the Titans post 8/162.
Iona def. Buln by forfeit.
