A KAUSHIK Aphale-century steered Latrobe to a big win over Mirboo North to go a game clear at the top of the table Central Gippsland Cricket Association A grade ladder.
The Sharks batted first and posted 3/226.
Aphale scored his second century of the season, 114 not out, while Anthony Bloomfield and Daniel Siddle played supporting roles with 47 and 39 respectively.
Aphale and Bloomfield were dropped before reaching double figures and the Tigers were left to rue those mistakes as only Josh Taylor 2/55 had any success with the ball.
The home side then crashed to 9/94 in reply before a last wicket partnership of 59 between Dale Banks and Brad Grima took them to a respectable 153.
Brett Pedlow’s 35 was the only real resistance offered by the top order as Patrick Farrant (4/39) and Mitch Cowell (3/22) landed the knockout blows.
Trafalgar scored an upset win over Morwell, posting 156 batting first.
Tim Dowe and Mark Cukier took figures of 3/24 while Brendan Brincat picked up 3/38 to restrict the Ships.
Morwell was in a great position at 1/96 before a collapse of 8/23 had it bundled out for 130.
David Bremner was the chief architect in the Tigers’ demise, taking 4/20 with support from Jackson Noonan with 2/32 in a win that will severely damage Morwell’s aspirations of a place in this season’s finals.
Thorpdale had a tough day at the races, with Yallourn North batting first and posting 187.
Jason Richardson took 4/32 with support from Boyd Bailey and Kayne O’Connell who took two wickets each.
O’Connell then top scored with 34 as his teammates fell in a heap around him.
Veteran Harvey Poole was the only other batsman to reach double figures as the Blues were bundled out for 89.
Second grade
Latrobe posted the highest score of the round with 4/246 against Thorpdale.
Mick Zomer, Glen Steele and Daniel Martin all hit half centuries.
Gavin Low was impressive for the Blues with three wickets but the rest of the bowlers struggled for line and length.
Nathan Hammond and James Durkin offered some resistance, but the Sharks were all over the visitors as Jon Hayes (2/14) and Nathan Nikodemski (2/11) accounted for the top order.
Trent Roberts (3/12) and Glen Steele (2/1) accounted for the tail to polish the Blues off for 66.
Jeeralang-Boolarra batted first against Rawson with the Kookaburras bowling attack struggling to make early inroads.
Dylan and Nathan Lee both took two wickets, as did captain Chad Williamson.
The top order failed in reply before Williamson (44) and Dwayne Massesse (29) put together a decent partnership, but it was not enough to get Rawson over the line.
Moe scored a narrow win over Morwell to get its season back on track, posting 123.
The Lions were in a perilous position at 8/73, thanks to outstanding bowling from Gary Thorburn (4/28) and Dylann Day (3/21), before Paul Kane and Frank Manducci combined to push Moe on to a decent total.
Manducci top scored from number 10 with 36 as the Tigers’ inability to break the partnership cost them the game.
Steve Elser attempted to hold the innings together with 37, but once he departed Morwell was in trouble at 8/86.
Nick Clarke took 4/16 to knock the Tigers off for 115, eight runs shy of victory.
Mirboo North edged out Trafalgar after bowling the Ships out for 164 before running up with 7/183.
Rhain Howarth-Ross hit 81 and Jasin Hopkins 37, but Jacob Blair and Brendan McKean took four wickets each to stifle the Ships’ late dash for runs.
Jarrod Speed hit 56 with Paul Hinkley and Brendan Van Heurck also getting starts as Mirboo North ran down the target in comfortable fashion.
Newborough was rolled out for 122 by Yallourn North.
Anthony Faltum top scoring with 22 in a disappointing effort from the Bulldogs.
Ricky Martin’s 5/35 reduced the middle order to shreds, before Stephen Pearson hit an unbeaten half century to guide the Bombers safely across the finish line.
Robert Blunt and Daniel Farmer took three wickets each and Brenton Faltum took two to provide some positives on a tough day for the Bulldogs.
Third grade returns this weekend.
