After most of the cricket was interrupted for the YVCA Juniors, the skies cleared for an interested afternoon's cricket, where all teams had something to play for. In DJ Strachan Shield, wins are becoming all the more important as it is fast becoming clear that an extra win here or there will be the difference between finals or bust.

Warburton-Millgrove are currently perched on top of the ladder with an impressive month of cricket, and they are hosting Yarra Junction, who on the other hand have slipped outside the top four after a couple of disappointing results. Yarra Junction batted first, and would've been looking for a total in excess of 200, after recent returns with the bat being under par. Unfortunately for the visitors the script played out in a similar fashion to recent weeks. However, the Eagles did bat out their overs against a disciplined Burras attack lead by the experienced slow bowling of Adam Humphrey who snared 4/39. The visitors couldn't muster enough momentum with their innings, where regular wickets continually put the brakes on when the innings looked to take off. Marcus Hottes (32) and Quiton Hodgkinson (38) looked as though they would take the score on, but the pair have had a habit of falling short of the 'big score' in recent games and their dismissals restricted the score to 9/151 at stumps.

Although 151 is a defendable total, there will be a big reliance on captain Hodgkinson and Terry Ottrey to make early inroads into the Warburton-Millgrove batting lineup if Yarra Junction are to win this contest. This will be a great challenge for the Eagles as the home side's batting has been it's strength, and point of difference from the rest of the competition, and one would think their batting depth would be able to cover any potential wobbles in this chase.

Mt Evelyn tripped over their feet again with the bat as they travelled to Hoddles Creek. After a promising fifty run partnership between Chris Anderson (36) and Daniel Fraser (29), and sitting on 1/82, the wheels fell off for the Rovers, and not for the first time this season, they squandered a great start. Some would argue that the wheels didn't fall off, but they were nicked by the experienced Brenton Derix. Derix put the innings 'on blocks' with a cunning plan of accurate bowling and good field placings. Derix ran through visitors batting lineup to take 7/56 off a sustained 16 over spell to reduce the final total to 154.

The Rovers did manage to put some pressure on the home side, as captain Kane Jones snared three wickets to put his team back in the contest, reducing the Wombats to 3/44 at the close of play. The game is interestingly poised, and could be decided early, as the battle between Jones with the ball, and the Derix brothers with the bat will be vital for both team's chances. With wickets in hand, the Wombats are well poised to notch their second victory of the season.

Seville have been quietly going about their business in preparing an assault on another premiership, and they hosted Woori Yallock who haven't quite clicked for the perfect game, but are doing enough to put some valuable wins on the board. The home team batted first, and despite Adam Burns (49) putting some early pressure on the Tigers' bowling lineup, his wicket saw the pressure put fair and squarely on the rest of the Blues batting lineup. Speedster Jackson Wright (3/50) and captain Dan Mick (3/36), turned the screws on the home sides top order. Just when Woori Yallock had gained the upper hand, the experienced pairing of Ryan Akers (75) and Matt Tilney (53) showed that Seville are more than a one trick pony with the ball in the hand, and they quickly shot the Blues beyond 200. The Tigers did persist and bowled the Blues out, but not before the home side had posted a solid score of 222.

Most observers would have Seville well in front of this contest with their imposing bowling line up, and that may just be the case, but the Tigers do possess some impressive batting talent, and if they can muster a hard nosed approach to the chase and bat their overs, they could well surprise the reigning champs.