Pioneers enter semi-finals

Having won the toss and electing to bat, the Pioneers got off to a shaky start, losing 2-25.

With support from Brayden Lambden (33*), Ashan Wijayakumara led from the front, notching 63 runs to take the Pioneers to a total of 7-174.

In reply, Jack Driver (32) and Luke Ford (31) provided solid contributions to the start of the Rockets’ innings.

However, a three-wicket haul from Travis D’souza (3-18) saw the Rockets all out for 136.

Advancing through to the semi-finals, the Pioneers will face the Outer East Eagles, who claimed a two-wicket win over the Northern Falcons.

A 42-run knock from Nish Perera saw the Falcons complete their innings on 9-123, with Daniel Carr taking 2-10.

Contributions from Jack Blain (39) and Luke McComb (36) would see the Eagles reach 8-124 with a ball to spare.

Central Highlands continued its title defence with captain Pat McKenna continuing his good form in the tournament, top scoring on 42 and leading his team to a score of 9-178.

Despite a 44-run knock from Brett Muirhead, a potent Highlands bowling attack combined with strong fielding saw the Western Spirit bowled out for 132.

The Highlands have booked a semi-final showdown against the Inner South East Scorpions, who defeated the North East Knights.

The Scorpions’ Josh Bartlett (3-10) continued to pick up the wickets, restricting the Knights to a total of 9-127.

Under a revised Duckworth-Lewis systeam, a half-century from Arron Wheatley (52) saw the Scorpions take the points.

In other results, the Mallee Murray Bulls claimed its first win of the tournament with Jayden Zanoni (36) and Clayton Holmes (32) leading the team to a score of 9-176.

A five-wicket haul from Matt Smith (5-29) saw the Bulls dismiss the South East Bayside Breakers for 147.

Riley Michel’s unbeaten 43 saw the Northern Rivers set the South East Sharks a target of 7-153.

A 54-run knock from Gordon Waterfall helped the Sharks surpass the score to claim a three-wicket win.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the North West Wizards crunched a total of 8-142, with Liam Molloy (42) and Samuel Laffan (40) producing the runs.

Gippsland Pride’s Taylor Tatterson (43*) and Cormac Hassett (43) steered the team to a seven-wicket victory, reaching the total in the 30th over.

In the final match, the Western Waves set the Inner East Emus a target of 5-148 with Hamish Withers (45*) and Ben Threlfall (36) leading the charge.

A three-wicket haul from Tom Smith (3-15) and Angus Adams (3-24) saw the Waves bowl out the Emus for 142.

To see full results from the Under-18 Victorian Bushrangers Pathway Championships, click here.