PEARCEDALE escaped jail in its match against Dromana in Sub-District on Saturday, defending just 106 and winning by more than 30 runs.
The Dales won the toss and batted first, but only two batsmen made it to double figures. Shayne Gillings top scored with 48 and opener Matt Cousland contributed 23.
Three Pearcedale batsmen were dismissed for a duck, the talented Gavin Moore included.
Les Parslow was outstanding with the ball for the Hoppers, snaring what appeared to be a match-winning 5-12 from his 10 overs. David Timmer and Michael Marchmont each picked up two wickets.
When it came time to chase down the 107 for victory, only one Dromana batsmen could manage double figures. Parslow top scored with 31 to go with his five wickets.
Pearcedale's Kaine Smith was the destroyer with 5-14 from 10 overs and Aidan Bock picked up 2-1 from four.
Flinders had an easy victory against Carrum Downs with 14 overs to spare. Winning the toss and sending the opposition in to bat, the Downers were 8-23 at one stage, before Martin Burns hit 39 batting at No.10 and Chamara Perera helped with 20. This at least gave Carrum Downs something to bowl at - 102.
Matthew Burns was outstanding for Flinders, taking 6-11 from 10 overs.
In reply, Robbie Clements scored 25 and Simon Parrott 42 to steer Flinders to victory. Adam Newstead with two wickets was the best of the Carrum Downs bowlers.
In the only two-day game in the grade, Seaford Tigers got the job done against Rosebud.
After making 9-200 on day one, the Tigers bowled out Rosebud for 114.
Aaron Jack was outstanding for the Tigers with 6-23 from 15 overs. Danny Spencer with 38 was the best of the Buds' bats, with Brett Matthews next best with 28.
Tyabb and Tootgarook faced just 68 of their scheduled 80 overs, ithe Tooters getting up with 10 overs to spare.
Tyabb batted first and made just 127 from 38 overs, Rick Gough top scoring with 55.
Matt Whelan was outstanding for the Tooters with 5-19 from his allotted 10 overs, and was well supported by Paul Stevenson with 3-25.
Whelan then hit 60 and had good support from Mark Bradshaw, who was second-top score with 34.
Skye easily accounted for Baden Powell in a high-scoring game, chasing down the 183 needed for victory.
Skye batted first and hit a massive 5-224, Leigh Smith top scoring with 65, with Dean Polson was next best with 38.
In reply, the Braves had a crack, but fell short, finishing its 40 overs on 9-182. Jamie Smith was the best of the Skye bowlers with three wickets.