There is only one win separating first and seventh in a very even competition so far.
Stanhope moved to the top of the ladder with a win over previous leader Moama.
Kirk Teasdale was the only Moama batter to make a score, his 54 getting the Mowers to a somewhat respectable 128.
Bradd Stewart claimed 5-30, doing particular damage to the middle order.
Stanhope had little trouble in completing the chase.
Although 2-4 early on, Matthew Evans (46 not out) and Jonathon Pearson (67 not out) guided the Lions to an eight-wicket win.
Kyabram Fire Brigade picked up a valuable 36-run victory over Colbinabbin.
Lachlan Carver’s (51) half-century helped the Flames to a decent total of 7-171.
In the Ducks innings, Ryan O’Keefe (38) was one of few to show resistance as the Fire Brigade attack rolled the opposition for 135, led by Nick Smart’s 3-14.
Bamawm-Lockington United posted a big total of 9-245, far beyond Elmore’s reach.
A 122-run opening stand set the tone, with Adrian Flett going on to make 53, and Josh Cairns a brilliant 107 from 110.
Elmore could only manage 123 in reply.
Echuca’s bowling attack was in fine form, removing Cooma for only 77.
Nick Dolan (3-8) and Rhys Varcoe (3-6) both took efficient three-fors in a restrictive bowling effort.
Earlier, Echuca made 7-139 off the back of a balanced batting lineup, five players reaching double figures.
Rushworth had the bye.
Bill Williams Murray B-grade Shield
Kyabram Fire Brigade showed too much quality for Nondies-Cohuna, winning by 122 runs.
The Flames’ top order was firing with the bat, Justin Hooper making 67 and fellow opener Jeff Turpin 49.
The N-C chase was hampered by excellent bowling from the likes of Archie Sheppard (3-16) and Barry McLeod (2-1).
Daniel Stephens (42 not out) was the only bright spark for Echuca South in a seven-wicket defeat to Leitchville-Gunbower.
Dylan Roberts and Hayden Hegarty took three wickets each to help L-G bowl out the Swans for 92.
Casey McNaught made 37 in the mostly uneventful run chase.
Rochester’s tail wagged to get it over the line against Moama.
Chasing 155, Rochy was 8-94 before numbers nine and ten, Samuel Byrnes (47 not out) and Will Broucek (18 not out) linked up to lead their side to the two-wicket win.
Earlier, Tony Orton made 40 for Moama, while Rochester’s Max Nichols took 4-17.
Tongala had the bye.
Gus Underwood C-grade Shield
Echuca had the batting quality to match Echuca South’s total of 154.
Timothy Moody’s 60 was a major factor in the chase, while in the first innings, an 85-run opening stand saw Malcolm Mackenzie-Ross top score for the Swans with 46 from 35.
Rochester’s Leigh Hartshorne and Ryan Murphy didn’t need assistance to chase down the Stanhope target of 97.
Hartshorne made 63 and Murphy 34 as Rochy reached the target in less than 15 overs and without loss.
In the first innings, Matt Tobin took 3-17, while the Lions target came almost exclusively from Manojkumarchowdary Boddu (54) and Steven Hall (34) who recovered their side from 7-11.
BLU had enough in the tank to surpass Girgarre’s 149.
After a balanced bowling effort saw the Roos restricted to the modest total, Joel Felmigham took control of the second innings with 70, supported by Charlie McIntyre (48 not out).
Cooma had the bye.
Peter Raglus D-grade Shield
Girgarre inched its way over the line against Murchison, chasing down 94.
Jake Tooley tore apart Murch with 6-9 to make the job easier for the batting unit, and useful knocks from Tom Werner (28) and Jay Ferguson (20 not out) sealed the deal for Girgarre.
Echuca defied all odds against Tongala, defending a three-run lead for two overs.
Chasing 99, the Blues were 6-96 with twelve balls to play, before Michael Roach logged a two-wicket maiden in the penultimate over, followed by Ash Smith bowling four dots and two singles in the final six balls to see Echuca survive by one run.
Rushworth set a huge total of 3-230 against Colbinabbin, before crushing the ducks for 28 runs.
Peter Raglus, Heath Ogden and Shannon Jarrett all retired with fifties for the Tigers, while Declan Hawking cashed in with the ball, taking 6-7.
Ogden was also lethal with 3-4.
Kyabram Fire Brigade weren’t particularly troubled chasing down Stanhope’s 120 doing so with seven wickets in hand.
Adam Braithwaite anchored the Stanhope effort, making 54 unbeaten, but 51 from Charlie Isaac and good support from Brenton Sheppard (36) saw the Flames to the target in less than 14 overs.
BLU had the week off.
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