Jordan Ilsley enhanced his status as one of the premier all-rounders in the Emu Valley Cricket Association with a brilliant individual game against Mandurang.
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The Sedgwick star took 8-62 with the ball and a made a quickfire 50 off 37 balls with the bat as the reigning premier Rams were forced to settle for a draw.
With two games remaining in the home and away season, Ilsley's stellar season includes 394 runs at an average of 30 and 42 wickets at an average of 9.38.
After just 22 overs of play on day one, Mandurang resumed at 3-95 which quickly became 5-95 as Ilsley removed Matt Pask and Sean Rashleigh.
Mandurang skipper James Pietromonaco and Mitchell Roberts (21) dug in for a crucial 74-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Pietromonaco (74 off 124 balls) git hit six fours and three sixes in his side's total of 206.
That left Sedgwick requiring 207 to win off just 26 overs.
While Ilsley was at the crease the Rams were a slight chance, but when he fell the momentum went out of the run chase.
Sedgwick batted out time and finished 5-133. James Bailey (3-36) was the pick of the Mandurang bowlers.
The Rams remain in second place ahead of their clash with ladder-leader Spring Gully next Saturday.
The Crows held on for a draw against fourth-placed Maiden Gully Marist.
After resuming at 2-87, Maiden Gully Marist scrambled to all out 168.
James Fox (5-47) and Alex Sutton (4-19) did the damage with the ball for Spring Gully.
That left the Crows with what appeared to be a very manageable 169 to win off 41 overs.
MGM had other ideas. Opening bowlers Brett Haw (3-36) and Jacob Brown (2-24) ripped through the Gully top-order to leave the flag favourites 5-40.
It took some steady batting from experienced duo Rhys Webb (32) and Byron Perrin (33 not out) to ensure the Crows (6-104) batted out time for a draw.
The draw for MGM combined with Emu Creek's victory over Marong sets up a thrilling battle for fourth spot.
Emu Creek is now within one win of MGM on the ladder and the two teams meet next Saturday.
Needing to win to keep its finals hopes alive, Emu Creek's bowlers did the job against the Panthers.
Resuming at 7-153, Emu Creek added another 60 runs before declaring at 8-213.
Coby Hansen finished unbeaten on 53, with Luke Monaghan 28 not out. Greg Toomey (3-30) was Marong's best bowler.
In reply, Marong was bundled out for just 121.
Adam Brwon (59 not out) and Scott Ros (22) were the only Marong players to score more than 10.
Tyrone Downie (4-42) led the way with the ball for Emu Creek.
Axe Creek celebrated its first win of the season when it tore through a brittle West Bendigo batting line-up.
Axe Creek resumed at 5-85 and posted 176 thanks largely to Wayne Hodgkiss' 73 off 105 balls.
Josh Connolly (5-35) took career-best figures for West Bendigo.
After slumping to 3-19 early, the Redbacks never looked like reeling in the target.
Mathew Evans (50) gave the innings some life before Axe Creek spinner Blake Hodgkiss (5-33) sliced through the West Bendigo lower-order.
West Bendigo was bowled out for 138 and with the victory the Cowboys are qual on points with California Gully and a chance to avoid the wooden spoon.
In the final game of the round, United followed up its midweek T20 grand final win with a comfortable victory over California Gully.
The Tigers dismissed the Cobras for 133, with spinner Mac Whittle taking 4-13 and merdium-pacer Jarrod Starr 4-47.
Brad Olson (51 not out) was the only Cal Gully batsman to fire.
The in-form Broderick Williams (47) and Tom Calvert (40 not out off 31 balls) guided the Tigers to 3-144 off 32 overs.
The Tigers have drawn level on points with second-placed Sedgwick and have an easier run home than the Rams.
Division one ladder with two round remaining:
- Spring Gully 124
- Sedgwick 110
- United 110
- Maiden Gully Marist 96
- Emu Creek 86
- Mandurang 56
- Marong 48
- West Bendigo 42
- California Gully 18
- Axe Creek 18
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