The finals race has caught fire with four rounds to go after some critical results in round 10 of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) A Grade competition.
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc’s season is in free-fall after a third consecutive loss, this time to second-placed Carlisle Park at Harry Blackman Oval.
The Yabbies elected to bat first on their home deck but were caught reeling when opener Lachlan De Zilwa (9) snicked off Jaan Balasuriya in the third over, bringing Balasuriya’s season total to 30 wickets.
He got his 31st when he removed remaining opener Prabath Kobbekaduwa (10) to leave the hosts at 2/32.
Chris Ryan came in and was effective, top scoring in the innings with 37.
Brian Kulasena (29) and Niran Warnakula (22) chipped in and the Yabbies posted 9/174 from 40 overs.
Carlisle Park started its chase in a similar fashion, losing opening bats Ryan Hughes (6) and Jarrod Armitage (8) early to be 2/34.
But a 110-run stand from Allash (88 not out) and Adam Hassan (47) put victory well within sight.
The Vikings were 3/144 when Adam Hassan departed, losing two more wickets before reaching the required total and a five-wicket victory at 5/175.
Nar Nar Goon steamrolled Cardinia at home after bowling the Bulls out for just 47.
Will Selleck (4/22 off eight overs) and Wil Taylor (3/10 from six overs) willed the Marygoons to rolling the visitors in just over 22 overs.
The hosts chased down the runs in four-and-a-half overs without loss as Liam Hill led the way with 30 not out.
Merinda Park survived a scare from a gritty Emerald side at Chandler Reserve.
The Cobras took to the crease first and enjoyed healthy contributions from Sasindu Perera (62), Leigh Paterson (53), Cambell Bryan (49) and Ashley Slater (27) to put up a considerable score of 8/266.
A strong effort from Jack Raukola (79), Michael Hoban (67 not out), Michael Nell (29) and Trent Rolfs (23) lifted the Bombers to the brink of victory but they came up just short, finishing at 8/263.
On a rare day where he didn’t perform with the bat, Jordan King was influential with the ball, taking three crucial poles.
Kooweerup kept its name in the finals hunt with an important 12-run triumph over Clyde.
The Demons batted first and brought up 6/187 thanks to Hunter Cairns (71), Paul Bright (43 not out) and Chandu Rashintha (22).
The Cougars’ pursuit got off to an extremely promising start, beginning with a 63-run opening partnership between Brett Reid (21) and Savan Patel (39).
Skipper John Simpson (48 not out) helped tick the score along until Clyde required 15 off the last over to win.
Clutch bowling from Zac Davis saw the Demons home; allowing three runs in the final spell of the game whilst picking up a wicket.
The Cougars concluded their innings 8/175.
A Thomas Rudeforth-headlined Tooradin comfortably handled business against Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve.
Rudeforth posted 105 off 107 balls, a knock that included 13 fours.
This, alongside handy scores from Liam Simpson (29), Cooper Shipp (23) and Luke Adams (20) boosted the visitors to 8/221.
Mitch Varty (59) impressed for the Lions but not much support was brought around him as the hosts were knocked over for 158.
Cody Mannix supplied damage with the ball, breaking through for 3/31 from eight overs.
As it stands, Pakenham Upper/Toomuc still desperately clings to fourth, but the Yabbies, fifth-placed Nar Nar Goon and sixth-placed Kooweerup all sit on the same record of 5-5.
Pakenham isn’t far behind at 4-6 with a pivotal away matchup with cross-town rivals Pakenham Upper/Toomuc awaiting this week.
