MURRABIT batted first hosting Barham Koondrook in B Grade, as both teams looked for a statement win.
Zeb Hein and James McDonald started well but were unable to get the runs ticking over and, unlike last week, incoming veteran players were unable to steady the innings.
Brent McKnight (15) and Simon Kelly (21) offered a little support late, but the Blues were all out for 82 and would need some significant bowling to hold the Raiders’ talent-filled batting line-up at bay.
Josh Powley with 3/15 and Xavier Leonard with 3/18 did most of the damage with the ball.
In reply, Barham straight up looked to be repeating a finals loss of a few years back, losing both openers within eight balls of the innings.
Brad Lake (33) and Nathan O’Toole (25 not out) ensured the total was achieved with little further worry in the 18th over.
Wandella took off to Wycheproof to take on Calder United and took no time setting the standard.
Leigh Hollingworth, with a true captain’s knock of 63, led the charge.
Young Jaspa Chamberlain set himself for a nice 53 in the middle, helping the Bombers to a formidable 182.
Trevor Rumbold was the pick of the Lion bowlers with 4/14.
In reply, Calder took a team effort to achieve the runs in the final over.
Again the team’s captain, Les Cooper (62 not out), led the runs for his team, supported well by multiple partners who reached the 20s.
Harry Pearson again showed his chops with the ball, taking a handy 3/33.
Hosting Lake Boga, Kerang went in hopeful the Lakers might have one of their down weeks.
Unfortunately for the Navy Blues, it wasn’t one of those days.
Wes Harrison with a superb 144 not out, supported by Ky Fleming (43) and Jarra Kelly (23 not out), torched the Kerang bowlers to a unsurmountable total of 3/230.
The only highlight for Kerang was opening bowling pair Jon Roberts and Oakley Tonkin combining for 14 overs, allowing only 31 runs, including six maidens.
With the bat the day didn’t get much better for Kerang. Ron Bright knocked a systematic 40, however no other batsmen really managed to hang on.
Batting a gritty partnership of 32 runs, it must be said that Oakley Tonkin (17 not out) and Jett Boswell (24) played well above their years.
