THE conclusion to round 10 had everything from 50 millimetres of rain in the lead up to two absolute thrillers in the top four Traralgon and district cricket clashes.
Taking advantage of the log jam, reigning premier Glengarry catapulted to third spot on the ladder courtesy of a huge outright win over Traralgon West.
RESUMING at 6/61 and still needing 33 to win Gormandale could not have started any worse, losing overnight batsmen Kade Joske and Will Cheatley to be reeling at 8/66.
With Jack Davies unable to bat because of injury the Tigers’ last wicket pair had to put on 29 to win.
In a pulsating finish the 2015 Cox Medallist Shaun Barbour (22*) and usual bowling partner Adam Brady (9) showed enormous fight to take the Tigers to a thrilling one wicket win.
Dave Embleton made the crucial early breakthroughs on day two but Raiders claimed the final wicket two runs too late.
Batting a second time Raiders managed 8/165 declared after slumping to 7/86 with Brad Knowles 38 not out.
Brad Wadlan took 3/47 to be the Tigers best in both innings.
AT 3/44, still in need of 62 runs to win, Centrals started cautiously before Karandeep Singh went for 10 with the score on 59.
Major trouble hit when league leading run scorer Mark Rawson was dismissed for 45 just eight runs later.
Centrals then needed to squeeze out the remaining 39 to win with 5 wickets in hand.
A handy 19 run partnership between Sam Gray (5) and captain Corey Pollard (19) took the score to 86, but when the skipper was dismissed at 7/97 The Sharks were circling and the prey was drowning.
When Students captain Michael Warne bowled Marc Fenech the Lions were all out for 101, four runs shy of the target.
Best for Ex Students was Rob Voss with 5/34 from 24 overs.
Batting a second time after conceding first innings points on day one Traralgon West started on 0/27, still needing 54 to make Glengarry bat again.
After adding just one run to the total the West was in immediate trouble when Tim Howe departed for seven and Brenton Howe for 21 soon after.
Some gritty batting was evident but not enough; Reece Falla (18), Tim Fitch (34) and Jon Bell (25) all got starts but could not go on as the West was all out for 129.
Frank Marks’ 5/20 was best of the Glengarry bowlers. Needing just 48 for outright points Glengarry did it easy in 16 overs, making 4/52.
ROVERS started day 2 at 1/27 and needed 140 to win.
Ewan Williams batting at three got Rovers off to a fair start with 22, but when they slumped to 7/75 it looked like an early day.
Enter Faaz Hasan (26) and Anthony Wilkes, who top scored with 54, in a partnership worth 84 to put Rovers within nine runs of victory.
In a tense finish Rovers failed to compile the remaining runs, losing their final three wickets for two runs, and were all out for 161.
Joel Randall with 4/48 and Nat Campbell 3/54 were best for Imperials, while Brad Sizeland’s two wickets at the death saved the day.
Match drawn due to wet weather.
