Armstrong Creek went another step closer to playing finals in its debut BPCA A1 Grade season with consecutive victories against Ocean Grove.
Needing 130 for victory on day two of the round 12 clash on Saturday February 4, the Titans had to work hard, but won with five wickets and 23 overs to spare.
Two quick wickets to Taylor Harvey and some top seam bowling from Mick Thornton had the Titans at 3/27 and needing a partnership.
Then at 5/71, Ocean Grove had a sniff, but Brandon Ross made an unbeaten 36 and Daniel Maclean 22 not out to get Armstrong Creek home and up into fifth place.
The loss probably spells the end of Ocean Grove’s finals hopes.
Jan Juc defeated Anglesea in a thriller to hold onto fourth place on the ladder.
Anglesea was chasing 205 and Ty Norman (56) and Brett Venables (41) again found themselves among the runs.
But the Seas went from 2/125 to 8/163 with only Ash Poulton (43 not out) looking like winning it for the reigning champions.
Jordy Graham stepped up for the Sharks with 5/70 from 26 overs and paceman Nicky Smith reminded everyone of his class with 4/47 from 23 to have Anglesea all out for 198 with six balls remaining.
Barrabool moved to equal top of the ladder with a hard-fought win against a dogged St Leonards.
Needing 121 for victory, the Bulls were 8/120, but went on to score 174 with Brydon Barnett (40) top scoring and excellent contributions from numbers nine, 10 and 11 Nathan Findlay (17 not out), Finn Peel (18) and Brad Greenwood (13).
Shanaka Kethbevilage and Brian White took three wickets each for the Saints, who have improved greatly since the break.
Queenscliff won a thriller against Inverleigh and guaranteed itself a finals spot.
Defending just 116, the Coutas won by five runs with veteran left-arm seamer Tony Hanafin taking 4/18 from 18 overs.
In A2 Grade, Drysdale passed another test by chasing down Portarlington’s 197.
Nick Hallam (45), Blake Dobbin (43) and Lachie Wilson (40) got the Hawks home despite the best efforts of Tom Stewart, who took 3/39.
Winchelsea moved up to third on the ladder and with a bye and Newcomb to come, pretty much guaranteed a finals spot.
Collendina managed only 117 in reply to Winch’s 203 as Matt Partridge dominated with the ball to take 5/30 while John Mansbridge took three early wickets.
Barwon Heads smashed Wallington by 137 runs with Sam Schaller the star, bowling 21 overs for his 2/23.
