Tallarook is steaming towards the Seymour District Cricket Association A-grade minor premiership.
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Having posted a massive 6/299 on day one against a struggling Eastern Hill side, the league leaders backed it up on day two — rolling the visitors for a meagre 165 all out.
Starting with a bang, the visitors quickly found themselves in dire straits as the scoreboard read 2/2.
A recovery job was needed, and provided by the middle order, Brayden Speechley (24) and Daniel Bergowicz (35).
William Dundon was chief destroyer for Tallarook, knocking over no less than five Eastern Hill batsmen — his first five of the 2018-19 season.
Leigh Irving, after posting a huge 63 with the bat, went on to take two wickets with the ball. Also taking two was Lachlan Watts, with the other going to Kalon Winnell (who also bagged a 50 with the bat on day one).
The result leaves Tallarook atop the SDCA A-grade ladder, three points ahead of Avenel, and nine ahead of Yea Tigers and Broadford.
Tallarook playing coach Jac Smith-Williams said he could not have asked much more from his bowlers on the second day.
‘‘The bowlers were all pretty good really, I couldn’t fault them,’’ he said.
‘‘We were very happy with our batting on day one, everyone contributed and we had partnerships of 63 or 64, and to have Kal (Winnell) get a 54 was great.
‘‘We also had to take down the likes of (Eastern Hill’s) Corey Jones and Dan Fisher, who were really good with the bat and we liked how they went about it, but overall we were very happy with the contributions of our bowlers.’’
Smith-Williams said the club was aiming to have two wins from its final two rounds of the normal season. Those matches will be played against sixth-placed Kilmore, and third-placed Yea.
‘‘We’re now in a great position, we have Kilmore this week coming up and then Yea in the last round before finals so hopefully we can walk away with two wins, but it won’t be easy,’’ he said.
‘‘We haven’t beaten Yea yet this season, so hopefully we can get one over them in the last round before finals.
‘‘We won’t rest anyone, but we’re still sorting our best XI. There are a few playing in B-grade who could easily play in A-grade.
‘‘There’s a good chance we might lose a couple of players this weekend but we have a few coming in as well.
‘‘Kilmore won’t be an easy beat either. They bat pretty well but it’s their bowling that lets them down a little bit. So if we can topple them for fewer than 200 that would be great.’’
In other SDCA A-grade matches on the weekend, Avenel cantered to a win against Kilmore, thanks to a huge 100 not out from Harrison Wheeler in his only match for the club this season.
After seeing Kilmore all out for 196, Avenel ensured the points would be coming back with them as they smashed a 6/207 scoreline off 73 overs.
And Broadford defeated the Yea Tigers after setting a mammoth 254 off 76 overs, which included 102 from Ashley Wood.
Yea managed 204 off its 75 overs, headlined by Cameron Armstrong with 78. But Broadford’s bowling attack was too strong, with four wickets going to Brayden Hickey (4/56).
In other SDCA grades, Broadford caused the upset of the round in B-grade, winning against league leaders Pyalong.
Alexandra defeated Eastern Hill, Seymour defeated Avenel, Tallarook took the win at Yea, and the Royals defeated Kilmore.
And in C-grade, Broadford Black continued their fine run of form to stay at the top of the table with a win against Kilmore.
Puckapunyal Wanderers got the wood over rivals Puckapunyal Nomads, Seymour defeated Broadford Red, Pyalong defeated Eastern Hill, and the Royals defeated Alexandra.
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