DENNINGTON skipper Dustin Drew has put Warrnambool and District Cricket Association in a commanding position at Melbourne Country Week.
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Drew belted a stunning 129 to lift WDCA to 5-281 off its 50 overs against winless West Gippsland Cricket Association at Clayton's Monash University.
The hard-hitting opener, battling a hamstring injury, rode his luck throughout the knock but made his rivals pay after every dropped chance.
He particularly took a liking to the medium pacers of WGCA captain Clint Marsh, smashing three sixes off one over.
He was eventually out with the score 4-213 - meaning his teammates and sundries combined for just 84 during his stint at the crease.
Middle-order runs from Nathan Murphy (34), Josh Stapleton (38 not out) and Jake McKinnon (28 not out) were also pivotal to the big score.
WDCA was unbeaten after three days. The dominant batting performance has all but ensured day-four victory and a spot in the division two grand final.
Meanwhile, South West Cricket requires 239 for victory in its provincial-grade match against Murray Valley Cricket Association at Essendon's Windy Hill.
MVCA posted 8-238 from its 50 overs, with MCW debutant 16-year-old Jake Reed taking 3-51 off 10 overs to be the pick of the bowlers.
Todd Lamont took 2-35 off 10. Gus Bourke and Steve O'Neill also got among the wickets while Ben Grinter executed a direct-hit run out.
SWC took wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings but battled to stop the flow of runs at the same time.
MVCA was 5-172 off 40 overs and hit out to score 66 off the final 10 overs - a period which could be prove valuable later this afternoon.
Seventh-placed SWC is in a battle to avoid relegation from provincial grade with eighth-placed Ballarat Cricket Association.
BCA was all out for 204 in its day-four match against Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association at Caulfield Park.