By Adrian Ceddia
AFTER searing temperatures threatened to halt play in suburban cricket leagues last week, the opposite caused the abandonment of games on Saturday.
While some teams managed a few overs before the heavy downpour arrived around lunchtime, most were given the afternoon off as pitches and outfields became waterlogged and unplayable.
Play in most matches of the Diamond Valley, North West, Moreland Moonee Valley and Victorian Turf Cricket associations was called off early in the afternoon, with two-week matches set to be decided in one-day fixtures this week.
After a wet start to the season last year, play resumed unabated until last week’s temperatures saw some games called off due to extreme heat.
In the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association, play was ruled out on Saturday but most teams in the north/west group managed to complete one-day matches on Sunday.
In completed games, Werribee notched up its third victory over the season by outlasting Ivanhoe away from home.
A half-century from Patrick Eckel helped Werribee to a total of 166 before the bowlers did the job to restrict the home side to 9/152.
Melton grabbed top spot with a comfortable win over Yarraville, despite a five-wicket haul from Adam Devlin.
Melton amassed 8/144 from its allotted overs while Yarraville could muster just 104.
Bundoora Old Paradians relinquished their lead at the top of the table after going down to Brunswick by 44 runs, while Sunshine could not notch an upset against Balwyn.
The matches between Williamstown and Preston and Altona and Kew were called draws with grounds still affected by Saturday’s downpour.
With three rounds remaining in the season the race for spots in the top six is set to intensify.
Melton, Bundoora Old Paradians and Balwyn seem assured of their finals passes with the teams sharing top spot on the ladder, three points clear of Altona.
The battle for the last two positions in the finals is the most intriguing, with Yarraville, Coburg, Brunswick, Preston and Ivanhoe separated by just six points.
The season is scheduled to wind down with a one-day match on 4 March.
