More joy for Jumping Jacks in division three

by Samuel Laffy
Warragul (8/144) def. by Trafalgar (6/146)
A stunning spell from Brodie Gauci set the scene for Trafalgar's four-wicket win over Warragul, with his four-wicket haul ensuring the Gulls were restricted to a chaseable target.
The likes of Brian Christensen (a boundary laden 26) and Jatinder Pal Singh (a run-a-ball 27) threatened to take the game away from the Ships in the early part of Warragul's innings, as they raced to 2/100 in just the 22nd over.
However, Gauci (4/16 from 8) and Charlie Hennessy (2/24) proved far too distinguished for the Warragul middle and lower order and their fightback saw the Gulls restricted to 8/144.
With the outfield at Eastern Park rewarding aggressive intent, Liam Durkin (45 off 67) continued his excellent start to the summer, and Paul Rollason (23) and Cooper Burgess (38 from 51) were along for the ride.
Amandeep Singh (3/38) did his level best to drag his side back into the contest, but the Gulls simply didn't have enough runs to play with as Trafalgar sealed victory in the 38th over, Teilor Woolford putting the finishing touches on the chase with an emphatic six.
Jindivick (4/113) def. Western Park (110)
Jindivick's aggressive intent allowed them to continue their successful start to the summer as the Jumping Jacks compiled another rollicking run chase as they home a six-wicket win over Western Park.
However, it was their efforts with the ball which stood out the most, as the likes of Jordan Smith (2/11), Shane Hoskins (2/20), and Richie Bon (4/29) made life difficult for the Warriors' bats.
Ben Allsop (56 from 80) impressed, his classy half-century replete with powerful drives down the ground and through the covers, but apart from Travis Maher (24 off 34) no-one else made it to double figures as Western Park were dismissed for 110 in the 39th over.
Sean Viotto (43 from 41) then took advantage of some wayward bowling, smearing a host of powerful pulls to and over the leg-side boundary to kick-start the Jindivick chase.
James Stevenage (27 off 30) joined in on the fun with a host of well-timed hoicks and all in all it took the Jumping Jacks just 20.2 overs to reach victory.
Isaac Hughes (3/32) impressed in his first appearance in division three – much to the delight of WDCA legend Paul Hughes who was on hand to watch his son – but there was precious little else to celebrate for the Warriors.
Catani (6/183) def. Ellinbank (182)
Glen Easton's dynamic half-century helped Catani capture a four-wicket win over Ellinbank in their division three clash, with the all-rounder comprehensively taking apart the Eagles' attack in a blistering assault.
He no doubt strode to the crease full of confidence – having snared 3/33 from his eight overs with the ball – and this was reflected on the scoreboard, striking a volley of boundaries to catapult the Cats from the somewhat rickety position of 4/67 and onto eventual victory at 6/183.
All in all, he notched 70 from just 43 balls, and with Jackson Pawsey (40 off 64) providing excellent support, Ellinbank found it almost impossible to slow the scoring rate as the innings progressed.
Earlier in the day, the Eagles made their way to 182 before being dismissed, with Jaipal Singh (a scintillating 56) and Harmanpreet Singh (31 off 26 in a late-innings cameo) the stand-out performers.
But, whilst their total may have looked impressive at the innings break, it proved well short of what was required once Easton settled.