by Samuel Laffy
Catani (89) def Iona (59)
A low-scoring slog at Iona has seen Catani take home a 38-run win over Iona in their round one clash, with the Cats' bowlers able to best take advantage of the lush outfield at the Swamp Tigers' home.
Michael Taylor (2/11 from 8), Richard Hobson (2/22 off 8), and Sam Accardi (2/21) were able to apply continuous pressure and make life difficult for Catani's line-up – only Bradley McDonald and Jackson Pawsey were able to break the shackles somewhat – but they would no doubt have felt that their eventual total of 89 was well short of par.
However, only one Ionan bat, Zac O'Hara (who made a staunch 18), was able to make it to double figures as the Cats delivered a team-wide parsimonious display that was too much to overcome.
Pawsey (3/8 from 8) was especially meagre when it came to hittable deliveries, whilst Jai Lewis (2/9) and Nathaniel Wade (2/16) made the most of their turn with ball-in-hand, dismissing the Swamp Tigers for just 51 in the 25th over.
Western Park (4/184) def. Trafalgar (82)
The future for Western Park looks bright – at least as far as the short-term is concerned – following their 102-run win over Trafalgar in round one, with the Warriors victory coming on the back of match-winning efforts from Ed Dieu and Andrew Thompson.
Having been sent into the field, the Ships were jubilant early as Dale Fawcett (an 11-ball duck) and Kurtis Harper were sent on their way by a fired-up David Bremner, but they found their efforts blunted by the blades of 'Ed' (an exquisite 53) and 'Garry'. The 60-run fourth-wicket stand between the pair ensured Trafalgar lost all momentum as the frenetic partnership – marked by a sense of maturity beyond their years – took hold and Travis Maher (a 13-ball 21*) was on hand to end the innings on a high as Western Park surged to 4/184.
In reply, the Ships had some early momentum on the back of Mitchell Claridge (15) and Anubhav Anubhav (27) taking advantage of some early short deliveries.
But once Thompson (who snared 5/14 on the back of some prodigious seam bowling) and Samuel Laffy (who overcame an iffy start to claim his 350th WDCA wicket) settled there was little the rest of the Trafalgan order could do – dismissed for just 82 in the 25th over.

Ellinbank (171) def Garfield-Tynong (9/119)
The usual suspects led the way for Ellinbank in their division three clash with Garfield-Tynong, as the Eagles' quality all-round display helped them clinch a 52-run win over the Titans.
Chris Pallot (a composed 31), Jaxon Cook (a boisterous 47), and Brad Berry (22) chimed in with handy contributions that saw the scoreboard rattle along at a rollicking rate.
Matthew Trofa (4/25) and Jack Salan (3/39) delivered excellent spells of bowling, but despite their efforts Ellinbank were able to post a formidable total of 171.
In reply, Garfield-Tynong's normally free-flowing scoring was stymied by a magnificent new ball spell from Harmanpreet Singh (1/15 from 8) and from then on in the Titans found it difficult to break the shackles.
Mark Bowman (a spritely 34) did his best to accelerate scoring late in the piece, but Bailey Helps (3/25) and Archie Martel (2/21) were able to make regular breakthroughs and restrict Garfield-Tynong to 9/119 in reply.

Jindivick (9/159) def. Warragul (77)
Information flowing from Jindivick was less than forthcoming in the preseason, but the Jumping Jacks have seemingly chanced upon some talented cricketers to lead their rebuild, taking home an 82-run win over Warragul.
Yasatha Kariyasam (46) and Tharindu Wathudura (26) – who have recently made the move from Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll – helped their side overcome early wobbles caused by Tejvir Singh Malhi (3/27 from 6) to post a competitive total of 9/159 from their allotted overs.
In reply, the Gulls were never able to piece together the necessary partnerships to challenge Jindivick, nor even occupy the crease for a meaningful period of time.
Ronnie Bandara (5/27 from 7.3) led the way, and his guile saw Warragul slump from a promising start at 2/48 to be bundled out for 77 in the 23rd over.
Longwarry (2/61) def. Neerim District (60)
Neerim District entered the new WDCA season in a state of flux and round one results wouldn't inspire too much optimism as the Stags crashed to an eight-wicket loss at the hands of Longwarry.
Ali Sarosh (4/14 from 8), Randall Mitchell (who enjoyed a rare turn with ball in hand to claim 3/8), and Rohail Rafat (2/13 off 8) proved far too experienced for their opponents and quickly ran through the Neerim batting order.
In all the Stags posted just 60 from their 27.5 overs at the crease, a target that provided few headaches for the Crows.
Mitchell (33*, including five sumptuous boundaries) was at the top of his game and together with Brayden Chandler (14) took the game to its conclusion in just the 10th over of the chase.