By Richard Millott
Belgrave produced an unbeaten 211-run stand between Aaron Brunner and Johnathon Levell to power to a 10-wicket win over Ferntree Gully
Chasing the Blues’ target of 207 from last week, Brunner scored 109 not out.
Down the other end of the Belgrave pitch, Levell provided the definition of perfect support with 76 not out.
The win comes as a huge boost for the Pies, who were at the foot of the Norm Reeves Shield ladder.
The six points to the tally saw them jump to eighth place, while Ferntree Gully takes 10th place, narrowly missing out on ninth place to Upper Ferntree Gully on percentage.
Eildon Park inflicted The Basin with its first loss of the season, constructing a well-rounded chase of the Bears’ 217.
Josh Dowling (79) and Jake Pollard (65*) were the livewires at the crease for the home team to help the Panthers reach 5/220, with the win helping to lift Eildon Park to fifth place and now just a game outside of the top four while having superior percentage.
The Basin remains clear on top by a match.
Cameron Wheeler brought his A-game with the ball yet again as a low Upwey target combined with Wheeler’s efforts proved a bridge too far for Upper Ferntree Gully.
Set off in chase of Upwey’s 186, the Kings found out soon enough that Wheeler was on, eventually claiming 6/53 with the ball.
Craig Bridle was the sole light for Upper, his 41 not out being the backbone of the Kings’ 96.
The win sees the Tigers remain in fourth – albeit with improved percentage – to keep the pressure on Ferntree Gully Footballers, while Upper Ferntree Gully finds itself in a battle with their cross-town rivals for the final two placings – the Kings ahead by 0.004 per cent.
With the Tigers looking to move up, Ferntree Gully Footballers required victory against Knox Gardens, with the top order firing to ensure they remain in third place.
The Griffens were looking to overhaul the Falcons’ 213, which was well helped by Cohen McElroy’s unbeaten century (102*) and Radhik Gooneratne (56*) and Ben Rawlings (51) in support.
The Griffens are now well entrenched in finals equations, while Knox Gardens slipped to seventh.
Knoxfield accounted for Johnson Park, batting past the target of 142 to reach 283 by day’s end.
Adam Maloney led the way with 86 for the Knights, while Sam Shearer toiled hard for the Sharks with the ball, finishing with 3/73.
Knoxfield are now in second – a game behind and a game clear – while Johnson Park now sits sixth following Eildon Park’s victory.
In Decoite Shield, Knox Gardens showed talented depth to pass Rowville for the points.
The Falcon’s scored the required 5/232, surpassing the Hawks 230 from last week.
Dylan Wylde (79) was the best with the blade, while Adam Wylde (42*) and Matt Young (37) ensured the momentum continued through to claim the points.
The Falcons are two matches clear of fifth place, while Rowville slipped to seventh on the ladder.
South Belgrave took the points home following an interesting match at HV Jones Reserve against Mountain Gate.
Set 183 to win, the Gators started well being 2/79 at the tea break.
Dale Kline lead the way with 41, however a late collapse saw the points travel, Mountain Gate dismissed for 139.
South Belgrave remain in third place and are now level with Monbulk on points, whilst for the Gators the result now sees them slip two matches behind finals calculations in fifth place.
At the battle of the top two teams, it was Lysterfield who continue on their ways, now two matches clear of Monbulk.
Reaching 285 last week, the Hawks batted all day to be close, with Braden Taeuber (88), Tom Watson (46) and Jason Fraser (34) all contributing towards 8/242.
For the Beavers, Lachlan Dobson lead the way claiming 3/57.
St Johns Tecoma jumps to sixth place following a successful chase of Olinda’s 272 from last week.
The Saints had a number of contributors in the team effort, notably Trent Pitts (52), Jake Sali (41) and Luke Hands (36) to reach 8/276.
Olinda’s Taf Kamungzi was the pick of the bowling, sending down 39.1 overs from the one end of Talaskia Reserve for a return of 4/111.
