Just one week after conceding top spot to Seymour, the Rooks reclaimed the top rung with a huge 10-wicket win over Puckapunyal at Tallarook Recreation Reserve, while their minor premiership rivals faltered against Yea.
Being asked to bowl after losing the toss, Tallarook wasted no time in removing Puckapunyal’s openers, with Leigh Irving (1-16) dismissing Peter MacIntyre for just five, before Blake Munari-O’Dwyer sent Charles Davies packing shortly after to leave the visitors in all sorts at 2-17.
Lachlan Watts (4-23) did the damage from there, claiming four of the next five wickets to reduce Puckapunyal from 2-30 to 7-70, with Matthew Archibald (1-20) also chipping in, before Samuel Manchester (3-4) removed the final three batsmen in the same over without the visitors advancing the score, ending their inning at 10-79.
Joshua Rudge and Mitch Itter made light work of Puckapunyal’s tally, needing just 15 overs to reach the 80 required for victory, with Itter unbeaten on 46 from 47 deliveries, while Rudge contributed 29 not out.
The victory was a stark contrast to the battle on Seymour’s hands, who elected to bat after winning the toss at Chittick Park.
Having recorded an impressive victory over Tallarook the week prior, Seymour’s top order struggled against Yea, with the top five all making starts, but none were able to progress past 14.
Tristan Watson top scored with a well-made 30 as the home side posted 138 before being bowled out inside 42 overs, with the Tiger attack led by Edison Waghorn’s 2-24.
Lachlan Drummond (2-21), Braidon Horkings (2-21) and Simon Van Duinen (2-23) all battled hard with the ball as Seymour tried to defend their score and, with it, top spot on the ladder.
They were no match for a masterful Marc Steiner innings, with the Yea opener belting 78 at the top of the order.
James Lincoln steadied the ship in the middle order for the Tigers with an unbeaten 17, as they reached the required runs seven wickets down.
The loss ensured Seymour surrendered top spot just a week after inheriting it, finishing second and setting up another showdown against Yea this coming weekend, this time with the added pressure of it being a semi-final.
In the remaining fixture, Pyalong comfortably accounted for Alexandra in what was essentially a dead rubber with Pyalong having already sewn up a finals place, with their semi-final to be played against Tallarook at Tallarook Recreation Reserve.
In B-grade, a century by Travis Stefanos helped Avenel in a crushing defeat of Yea en-route to locking up top spot. Tallarook were victorious by 64 runs over Pyalong, and Alexandra cruised to an eight-wicket win over Seymour.
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