REIGNING premiers Coldstream did what they had to do at Woori Yallock in the YVCA's DJ Strachan Shield on Saturday.
After posting an impressive 7-269 on the first day, the Crocs got plenty of competition from the Tigers who started positively with openers Mick Dwyer (57) and Paul Broussard (32) again laying down a significant foundation.
Both, however, would be disappointed getting out after making starts, and the remaining Tigers batsmen weren't able to show the same fight.
Crocs import spinner Harry Burnett (4-61) and quick Matt Stark (3-66) worked tirelessly to rein in the Tigers, and were able to dismiss the home side for 191, well short of the target.
At Seville, the home side got the chocolates against Warburton Millgrove after an indifferent first day. After battling through 75 overs to post 157, the home team had a quick bowl at the Burras and had them 3-16 overnight.
The second day continued in a similar fashion as the Blues attack brushed through the visitors line-up for a paltry 71 with minimal resistance.
Ishara Amarasinghe showed his undeniable class, continuing his best form with 4-26. The Burras were asked to bat a second time as the home side chased outright victory, but as is so often the case, after being rolled for an average score in the first innings, the Burras found some resolve and saw out the day to be 1-50 at stumps.
At Yarra Junction, the Eagles were well placed to chase an outright victory against Mt Evelyn, as they held a 30-run advantage with seven first innings wickets in hand.
The dismissals of Travis Nightingale (37) and Nathan Fall (25) saw the rest of the batting line-up meekly fold to the unrelenting bowling of Kane Jones (4-38) and Shane Luck (4-39) for a modest 161. Despite the tail off in the innings, the home side was still in position to make a bold challenge for victory with a 97-run lead.
The Eagles had a sniff with an hour's play left. Enter young player Jesse Fraser (57 not out) who showed composure beyond his years against a buoyant Eagles side as he ensured the visitors wouldn't suffer an outright defeat.
At Healesville, the home side did enough to pass Hoddles Creek's score of 121 from the first day but were unconvincing in the process.
Many of the Bloods batsmen made starts, but with their top score of 28 coming from Scott Hill, the innings could have amounted to much more.
A mix of contributions meant the Bloods were able to post a winning score of 178.
Wombats spinner Simon Garside again showed his worth to the bowling line-up, claiming a much-deserved 5-30 as he applied the brakes on the home side's innings.
Having been asked to bat a second time, the visitors ensured there wouldn't be any nervous moments, as Brenton Derix, for the third innings in a row, anchored the Wombats' 4-64.
DJ Strachan Shield
Seville 10-157 (R Yasalal 44, A Humphrey 5-34) defeated Warburton Millgrove 10-71 (I Amarasinghe 4-26) and 1-50, Coldstream 7-269 defeated Woori Yallock 10-191 (M.Dwyer 57, P.Broussard 32, H.Burnett 4-61, M.Stark 3-66), Healesville 10-178 (S Hill 28 S Garside 5-30 B Derix 2-60) defeated Hoddles Creek 10-121 (B Derix 36, S James 3-12, A Harrison 2-20, C Burridge 2-22, B Chandler 2-38 and 4-64 (B Derix 33 C Burridge 2-14), Mt Evelyn 64 and 6-200 (J Fraser 57*, K Jones 43) lost to Yarra Junction 10-161 (T Nightingale 37, N Fall 25, S Luck 4-39, K Jones 4-38).