By Richard Millott
Upwey Tecoma finished their assignment against the Magpies, registering their third win of the season.
Steve Moore claimed 4/37 to go through the Belgrave line-up.
Aaron Brunner was the shining light for the Pies, scoring 42 as the visitors reached 172 in reply to the Tigers’ 8/272.
Johnson Park completed an ominous chase of Ferntree Gully to deny the Blues. Set 300 to win, the Sharks were off in chase, with Paul Wilkinson falling for 99, alongside Sam Shearer (78*) and Liyan DeSilva (62) seeing the Sharks across the line, finishing 4/303 to go a game clear in second place.
Knoxfield saw off the challenge from Knox Gardens at Carrington Reserve.
Set 278 last week, Knox Gardens were off to a solid start with Adam Metherell scoring 63 to lead the way for the Falcons.
However, Zac Wilson saw that the Knights fought back with the ball, claiming 3/42 to help dismiss the visitors for 219.
Ferntree Gully Footballers remain in the top four despite defeat against the ladder-leading Bears.
The Basin set 8/333 last week, however it was the Griffens who had contributions early with Dobinson (76), Lachlan Storey (46) and Tharanga Lakshita (31) all making inroads on the target.
However Jake Sheriff (3/43) and Josh Lee (3/60) ensured the Basin remained undefeated, dismissing Footballers for 214.
Eildon Park chased Upper Ferntree Gully’s 182, passing the target with three wickets in hand.
Cody Morris starred with 51, whilst Jarryd Roleff took 3/57 for the Kings, however the Panthers claimed the points.
In Decoite Shield, a spirited challenge from St Johns Tecoma fell frustratingly short of South Belgrave, dismissed for 313 chasing 332.
Jake Sali (66), Billy Sanger (64), Andrew Evans (45), Jarrod Parlby (37) and Luke Hands (30) all found their way on the scorecard for the Saints while for South, Cameron Smith was the destructor, snaring 5/54 to deny the Saints.
Mountain Gate is knocking on the door of the top four thanks to a home victory over Olinda.
The Gators reached 6/256 last week, with Tim Scott looking to take the points back up the hill from this encounter.
Eraj Wimalaratna had other ideas, taking 3/34 to ensure victory.
Monbulk kept Rowville at bay in their match, with their 305 too much for the Hawks.
Alex Walker (58) and Steve Oudshourn (30*) led the attack during the chase, but Chris Martin took 3/29 to keep Monbulk’s pressure on towards the top of the ladder.
Likewise, Lysterfield secured the points over Knox Gardens, the Beavers collecting them after a successful chase of the Falcons’ 192.
Nick McKay (62) and Daniel Forster-Jennings (31) showed the way with the willow for the Beavers to reach 6/195.
With the ball, Drew Withers claimed 4/68 for the Falcons.
