A dominant Lawrence Heath 125 boosted Yea Tigers to a crucial SDCA A-grade win over Seymour as they continue their push towards the finals series.
After falling in a thriller to Tallarook last week, the Tigers were determined to get back on the winners’ list against the bottom-of-the-table Maroons, who were looking to take a major scalp before the end of the season.
Winning the toss and batting first, Heath was dominant from the outset, taking control of the innings with his exquisite array of strokes.
The Seymour bowlers did their best to limit the remainder of the top order, with a clinical spell of 2-15 by Brodey Pointon initially keeping the Tigers in check.
But while they did enjoy some early success, the Maroons simply could not counter the power of Heath, who took over the Yea batting effort and almost single-handedly pushed it above 200.
Some handy cameos by Jack Christie (22), Cameron Armstrong (14), Biron Hardinge (13) and captain Marc Steiner proved critical towards the final overs, as the Tigers ended their innings with a daunting 236 on the board.
Needing to produce its absolute best to get close to the winning target, Seymour attacked the chase with freedom, with the top order not showing any fear in playing its shots.
Jason Brown started promisingly, striking a classy 15 before being forced to retire, handing the reins to Lachlan Drummond (48) and Jacob Culina (56 not out) to take over the chase.
Exhibiting fantastic offensive flair, the pair took it right up to the talented Yea attack, forming a solid middle order partnership to strike some fear into the reigning premier.
But in the end, 237 was just too big of a mountain to climb, as the Maroons finished their 43-over innings at 4-170, 67 runs short of what would have been a famous victory.
Kilmore registered a pivotal five-wicket win over Broadford to keep its hopes of a top-two finish alive.
Batting first, it was a tough start for Broadford as Buttler brothers Brett and Josh got the new ball talking to combine for three early scalps.
Reeling at 4-64, Broadford needed somebody to salvage the innings and give its bowlers something to defend.
Enter Evan Mills.
With a mountain of pressure on his back, the number four compiled a masterful 54 to swing the game back in his team’s favour.
A handy 21 from wicketkeeper Liam Collier helped Mills see his side to a somewhat competitive total of 145.
Needing 146 to draw level with Broadford on the table, it was a positive start for Kilmore as opener Kevin Craddock and number three Marcus Davern combined for a critical 56-run stand for the second wicket.
After Craddock departed for a well made 29, Davern assumed control of the chase, finding the boundary on six occasions to finish with a match-winning 60.
A quick-fire 17 not out from 22 deliveries by wicketkeeper Jacob Walton put the finishing touches on the win, with Kilmore cruising to the total in just 40 overs.
A thrilling draw between Eastern Hill and Tallarook rounded out what was an incredibly exciting round of A-grade action.
Batting first on its Kings Park Reserve home deck, the ladder-leading Eastern Hill underwent a nervous start before the power of Oscar Bryant came to the fore, striking a critical 48 to see his team to 148.
Facing an enthralling chase of 149, Cameron Muir took control early with a dominant 45 at the top of the order.
But a lack of support from the middle order saw Tallarook falter late, with the sides unable to be split after 90 overs of action-packed cricket.
In B-grade action, Broadford successfully defended 93 to walk away with a thrilling two-run win over Avenel at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Connor Stute began strongly for Broadford, single-handedly getting his team’s batting innings off the ground with a gritty 35.
This gave his bowling attack enough to strike, as a clinical spell of 3-17 by Austin Withers boosted Broadford to the two-run triumph.