EAGLEHAWK’s grip on its Bendigo District Cricket Association top-four position has been cut to just three points after its worst batting performance for 14 years on Saturday.
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Eaglehawk was routed for just 78 by Strathfieldsaye at Canterbury Park – the Hawks’ lowest score since the 1999 grand final disaster against Golden Square when they were bundled out for 56.
Chasing the Jets’ 192, the Hawks had resumed at 2-13, but within 122 minutes had lost their next eight wickets for 65 runs.
The destroyer with the ball for the Jets was Ben Devanny, who returned a career-best 6-23 off 19 overs, which included 10 maidens.
At one stage Devanny had figures of 4-8 off 13 overs.
Devanny’s six wickets included five unassisted – three bowled and two lbw.
Also helping to dismantle the disappointing Hawks were Liam Smith (2-4), Andrew Stove (1-0) and Lachlan Ross (1-1).
The Eaglehawk innings lasted just 41 overs as only opener Matt Fitt (24), Matt White (10) and Cameron McGlashan (14) scored in double figures, while the Hawks had six players dismissed for three or less.
The innings included one period where the Hawks lost 4-4, falling from 4-54 to 8-58.
Eaglehawk was bowled out at 3.02pm, and with no second innings played, the Hawks then held a two-hour centre-wicket training.
Having sat second on the ladder after round nine, the Hawks have had two losses and a tie in their past three games and are now under the pump to maintain their spot in the top four with two rounds to go.
● Huntly-North Epsom is right back in the finals hunt after its win over Sandhurst at J.L. King Weeroona Oval.
The Power’s 124-run win over the Dragons now has them within three points of the top four as they eye off either Eaglehawk or Golden Square’s position.
Chasing the Power’s massive score of 4-408, the Dragons were bowled out for 284.
The Dragons had been 4-235 during their innings, before the last six wickets fell for 49 runs and they were bowled out in the 80th over.
Captain Nick Scullie’s impressive form continued with the bat as he top-scored with 84.
Scullie – who has averaged 81 in his past five innings – was in good touch from the outset, with his first five scoring shots all boundaries.
He finished with 14 boundaries in his 170-ball knock, while also hitting a six, as well as a five.
Shane Robinson (58) also batted well for the Dragons, while Isaac Conway (36), Andrew Bourne (32) and Stephen Becker (32) chipped in with scores in the 30s.
With no Sam Johnston in the side, Brett Elvey helped pick up the slack for the Power by bowling 30 overs and taking 4-90.
Josh Collinson had a good day in the field for the Power, taking four catches.
● Bendigo won its second game of the season, defeating White Hills by 111 runs at Integrating Technology Oval.
The Goers answered the Demons’ 8-182 with 7-293, passing their target in the 67th over.
Alex Pearson (62), captain Marcus McKern (56) and Mark Ryan (56) all made half-centuries for the Goers, while Brett Andrews (47) and Glenn Franzi (33) got the chase off to a strong start with an 80-run opening stand.
McKern injured his groin during his innings, but batted on with a runner until he was superbly caught one-handed by a diving Lincoln Jacobs at mid-off.
Jacobs injured his shoulder during the catch and was forced from the ground.
Captain Aaron Monro (2-50) and Rhys Irwin (2-47) were the Demons’ multiple wicket-takers.
● Strathdale-Maristians belted Kangaroo Flat by 221 runs.
Resuming at 1-75 in reply to the Roos’ 145 at Bell Oval, the Suns added 291 more runs as they finished at 8-366 – their fourth score above 300 for the season.
The rejuvenated Travis King and Jono Davidson (41 off 137) took 25 overs to polish off the 71 runs the Suns needed for victory, and then it became batting practice.
King’s outstanding form continued as he made 89 off 196 balls (nine fours) and now has the competition’s best average of 71.3.
Captain Linton Jacobs (88) made the most of his time in the middle with his fourth score above 50 for the season.
Tim Robertson bowled a tight line and length for the Roos as his 14 overs conceded just 15 runs, while he also took the wickets of King and Davidson.