JUNG Tigers moved into fourth spot on the A Grade ladder with a win against Blackheath-Dimboola Bulls on Saturday while elsewhere Rup-Minyip maintained its positive start to the season.
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On a good batting deck the Tigers had to defend a first innings score of 223 to secure the points and swap places with the Bulls on the ladder.
Blackheath-Dimboola opener Lachie Watts looked to set the tone for his side early before Jeremy Pietsch struck to remove Trent McGough for six with the score on 25. Undeterred, Watts continued to move the score along after being joined at the crease by Elliot Braithwaite.
The pair added 65 before Braithwaite was dismissed for 26 by an Angus Adams caught-and-bowled effort.
When Watts was caught by Bradley Clark off the bowling of Adams for 56 the momentum of the game shifted momentarily shifted to the homes side
Brodie Cramer and Hamish Exell continued where Braithwaite and Watts left off to bring the game back to a more balanced playing field. The score was 154 when Pietsch claimed his second victim of the day by bowling Exell out for 38.
From that point the middle and lower order provided little resistance as Pietsch and David Puls ensured victory for Jung.
Cramer was removed for 26 after Sam Polack departed for a duck as Blackheath-Dimboola lost its last seven wickets for 14 runs. Pietsch finished with figures of 4-17 from 13 overs and Puls 3-22 off 15 as Jung won by 55 runs.
Horsham Saints fell just seven runs short of being the first side to defeat Rup-Minyip this season.
Set 181 to win the side got off to a good start courtesy of openers Mitch Martin and Justtin Combe.
Despite the loss of Combe for 42 with the score on 73 and Martin for 28 13 runs later the side still stood in good shape with Matt Combe at the crease.
Partners came and went for Combe, 33, before he himself was removed to make the score 6-141.
The Saints side still had time on its side but was running out of batsmen.
A spirited effort from young wicketkeeper Josh Hedt, 26, almost got the side over the line before he was the last man dismissed after being well caught by Jonty Funcke with the score on 174.
Clint Midgley finished with 2-41 off 20 overs including a 16 over spell while Ryan Metelmann came away with four wickets.
Homers had a comfortable win over Laharum after setting the side 383 to win.
The Mountain Men were all out for 131 in the 47th over of the day with wickets being evenly shared by the Homers bowlers.
Homers went in to bat to finish the day, giving the side’s lower order a chance to spend time at the crease.
