Veteran opener Chris Ganim (pictured) slammed a quick-fire century for Malmsbury on Saturday, but the club’s other two sides went down and seem certain to miss playing in finals.
Ganim hit 18 fours and a six at the MCG in scoring 116 against Gisborne’s division 2 side, Justin Murphy provided good support with 32.
Chasing 259, the Gisborne batters were all out for 129 in the 34th over. Tom Watson’s 46 was a standout, and six bowlers secured wickets.
Malmsbury’s Jensen Cup side battled at Hanging Rock, but once Palmy Singh was run out for 53 a collapse that saw five wickets fall for 10 runs was disastrous.
Quentin Keeble contributed 32 but 150 did not look enough from 40 overs, and Hanging Rock cruised to 3/151 in just 27 overs, all but ending the Berries finals hopes.
North Grade’s finals hopes disintegrated as Kyneton compiled a healthy 207 (Michael Rutledge 44).
The Berries improved on recent efforts with the bat, Simon Rogers 37 not out and Rilke De Podolinsky 37 doing well in a tally of 6/162.
This Saturday: Bacchus Marsh at the MCG (Jensen); St Anthony’s at Arnolds Creek (Div. 2) and Romsey at Romsey ((North).
