Crushing wins were the order of the day in Grampians Cricket Association on Saturday with winners prevailing by more than 100 runs – a large margin in one-day cricket.

The biggest winner was Buangor-Tatyoon with a 221-run victory over Pomonal. 

The Hawks batted first and finished with 7-268, led by opener Jarrod Blandford with a century, 110, backed up by Jack Ganley, playing his first game, with 63.

In reply the Tigers were all out for 47 in just 21.3 overs in what was the team’s worst effort since entering the association’s A Grade competition.

Best of the Hawks bowlers was Zander McDougall with 5-15 from eight overs and Aston Allen backed up him with 3-5.

At Stawell’s Central Park, Swifts-Great Western trounced Youth Club by 123 runs.

Combine captain Sam Cocks scored his second century of the season with 113 after winning the toss and batting. He had support from Jessie Eckel with an unbeaten 64. The Combine finished with 3-225.

The Clubbers’ reply was just 102, the Combine dismissing their opponents in the 30th over.

Nic Baird topped the scoring for the Clubbers with 50 and the only other batsman to top 10 runs was Clinton Slorach with 21.

The Combine’s attack was led by Will Clough with 5-24 and Jayden McCartney with 4-21. 

Both teams were missing key players, but none was missed more than Clubbers’ Cam Kimber. 

This week’s games have an important bearing on the final four with Youth Club returning to Central Park against Pomonal and Buangor-Tatyoon at home to St Andrews, with Swifts-Great Western having the bye. 

The Clubbers-Tigers clash will in all probability see the finals aspirations of one team dashed.

After last week’s games, the Clubbers would be firm favourites to add to the Tigers’ woes.  The Tigers have suffered some heavy defeats this year, and the whole team will have to lift to challenge the Clubbers.

At Tatyoon, the Saints will likewise have to lift to test the Hawks. The Saints have the players in Tom Mills, Adam Haslett and Sam Summers  to really take it up to the Hawks, but the Hawks are flying at the moment and will take some beating at home.

Results –

This week: Youth Club v Pomonal at Stawell’s Central Park, Buangor-Tatyoon v St Andrews at Tatyoon, Swifts-Great Western, bye.

Last week: Swifts-Great Western 3-225 (S. Cocks 113, J. Eckel 64no, T. Eckel 26) d Youth Club 102 (N. Baird 50; W. Clough 5-24, J. McCartney 4-21), Buangor 7-268 (J. Blandford 110, J. Ganley 63, S. Cronin 25).

Ladder: Swifts-Great Western 30 points, 3.07 percent; Buangor-Tatyoon 21, 1.35; St Andrews 12, 0.73; Youth Club 12, 0.62; Pomonal 9, 0.41.

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