For the sixth time in eight innings, Yarraville Club middle-order batsman Andrew Cullen has red ink in the scorebook.
Cullen simply refuses to give his wicket away cheaply this summer, having scored 350 runs at an impressive average of 116.7.
His 57 not out was key to the Clubbers’ narrow 27-run win over Bentleigh at Hansen Reserve on Saturday. Cullen rescued the innings, while other batsmen played important cameo roles.
Justin Baker kick-started the batting with 40 at better than a run a ball, before Clubbers bowler Konrad Kurta rose to the occasion with an economical 3-19 off 8.1 overs. It broke Bentleigh’s top partnership of Chris Williams (51) and Alex Caravelas (53no), who met at the crease at a diabolical 5-25.
The middle-order duo threatened to take the game away from the Clubbers, with 79 for the sixth wicket, but that was before Kurta trapped Williams plum in front. Caravelas fought on without much help from the tail-end, and Bentleigh toppled for 147 in the 39th over.
The Clubbers are riding high in third spot ahead of their trip to Tullamarine for a two-day game starting Saturday.
In north division, Altona North picked up just its second win of the summer. North must have been down in the dumps, making just 9-106, but its bowlers drove Sunshine Druids out for 83. Nathan Patrick took 3-15 off 7.3, while Dean Auciello and Aaron Whear snared two apiece.
Laverton lost ground in the top four after it was hammered by fellow finals contender West Coburg. The Magpies posted just 88 and the Burgers picked them off to finish at 6-164.
Spotswood’s two-game winning streak ended after losing a thriller to PEGS by three runs. Set a target of 163, the Woodsmen fell just short at 8-159.
In west A1, Williamstown CYMS stayed true to form, taking honours in the local derby over Newport-Digman by 26 runs.
Altona Roosters surged up the ladder with a 32-run win over Werribee Centrals, while Footscray United is licking its wounds after a shock 31-run loss to Point Cook.
In west B1, Footscray ANA ended West Newport’s winning streak at five, giving its own finals chances a shot in the arm.
Sam Kukucka led for ANA with 61 of their total of 6-177 off 40 overs. Wests reached only 135 due to devastating bowling by Josh Everest, who took 4-8 off 5.4. Everest has taken 18 wickets at 14.5 this season, including 15 in the past four matches.
Barkly Street Uniting had a comfortable 39-run victory over Deer Park, while Kingsville Baptists and Williamstown Imperials both suffered losses.
