By Justin Flynn
Barrabool and Queenscliff will fight it out in the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade final round with top spot the prize.
The two sides sit first and second respectively on 57 points and meet each other at Ceres over the next two weeks.
The winner will finish first and the loser could potentially finish third if Anglesea wins.
Barrabool made a statement by making 354 in reply to Inverleigh’s 114.
Centuries to James Jirik (125 from 193 deliveries) and Brydon Barnett (115 from just 87) gave the Bulls a massive win that saw them jump one spot on the ladder into first.
Queenscliff gave outright points a shot against St Leonards after making 9/258 and bundling the Saints out for 81.
Lachie Kidd picked up five first innings wickets for the Coutas, but St Leonards fared much better in its second innings, ending play at 4/148 with Kanishka Nawagamuwa remaining 64 not out from only 50 deliveries.
Armstrong Creek is in fourth spot with one round to go and must inflict Anglesea’s third loss on the trot to stay there.
The Titans were too good for Jan Juc, defending last week’s score of 9/234.
Daniel MacLean was the star taking 7/31 from 22.4 immaculate overs as the Sharks fell for 124.
If Armstrong Creek loses its final game, Jan Juc is poised to jump back into the four providing it beats Ocean Grove.
Ocean Grove kept its final hopes flickering with a win against Anglesea.
The Grubbers must beat Jan Juc this week and hope Anglesea thrashes Armstrong Creek to make up the difference in percentage.
Chasing 131 for victory, Jacob Taylor (37) and Fletcher Long (32) batted patiently to guide Grove home.
IN A2 Grade, Barwon Heads regained top spot with a win against Drysdale.
Chasing 193 for victory, Drysdale appeared headed for victory and the minor premiership at 4/140, but enter Jason Mallet, who took 3/23 against his old side to have the Hawks out for 174. Lachie Wilson (51) tried his best for Drysdale.
Wallington secured a finals spot, beating Portarlington.
Wallington was 8/152 still needing three for victory, but a fine 97 from Matt Sampson-Barnes and 49 from Shaun Biemans was enough to get the final total up to 238 despite a five-wicket haul by Alex Mann.
Collendina ended its season with a win against Newcomb.
The Cobras have a bye in the final round and won’t play finals.
Dean Britt took 4/37 to have Newcomb all out for 122, which was 51 runs short of victory.
