The second-placed Redbacks produced a commanding day’s cricket against ladder-leader Shepparton United, which was positively stunned at Kyabram Recreation Reserve as it attempted to chase 208.
Kyabram’s hitters showed they bat deep, with Gaganjot Singh (49) and Lukas Hanslow (41) combining at fifth and sixth-drop to steer their side forward.
United couldn’t find the answer to a sizzling Kyabram bowling unit; Matthew McDonald (3-28) snagged a trio of wickets, while Hanslow, Sing and Beau Metcalf picked up two apiece to have United all out for 84 within 31 overs.
Mooroopna collected all six points in a comprehensive road win at Waaia, toppling the Bombers on their home track for 69.
Brad Boyle, fresh off his Twenty20 heroics, would again come up with the goods to snag a trio of wickets while collecting four maidens from his four-over spell.
Aaron DiFede gave great support, notching three wickets for eight runs.
The Cats were two down in the chase, finding the required runs in 19.1 overs.
Katandra got the chocolates against Old Students in a tight contest, with a heroic final-wicket stand from Students veteran Vince Gagliardi (30) coming up just short.
The Eagles put a strong 165 on the board thanks to some fine strokeplay from Jack Nelson (43) with opener Daniel Hibberd (29) supporting.
Students’ lower order batted valiantly in the chase, with Andre Gagliardi spending some time valuable time in the middle to muster 18.
The Gagliardi heroics couldn’t get their side over the line in the end, with Katandra sealing the 51-run win.
Northerners clinched the win at Lemnos Recreation Reserve, icing Pine Lodge by 46 runs.
Opening bat Preston Hall was the standout with the blade, producing 45 to have the Jets’ tails up early.
Tim Brett took the lion’s share of wickets in reply, with Dallas Furnell, young gun Jake Davidson and Thomas Magee grabbing a slice of the action with two wickets apiece.
Meanwhile at Nagambie Recreation Reserve, a spirited bowling performance from Central Park-St Brendan’s helped score a brutal nine-wicket triumph over the Lakers.
Nagambie was bundled out for a disappointing 113 runs, with young gun Mason Reeves (3-10) and left-arm quick Aidan Lloyd (3-20) unplayable.
The Lakers were unable to restrict the Tigers thanks to sublime knocks from Keiran Hogeboom (42 not out) and Matthew Collins (41 not out).
Lastly, Euroa tore through Tatura to score a comprehensive 43-run triumph on the road.
The Magpies, defending a lowly 135, ripped through the host for 92 runs.
Euroa’s Darby Wilson starred with 2-9, while Jett Trotter (2-18), Will Jackson (2-16), Lucas Paul (2-15) and Nicholas Hill (2-17) chipped in with terrific performances with the ball.
Jed Woods (3-22) battled hard for Tatura in the loss.
Numurkah and Karramomus shared points with that match unable to proceed.
