In what was fairly favourable batting conditions across the district with the soaring temperatures, Hayes took the new ball and took a wicket in just about every over in a fine spell of bowling.

He was on a hat-trick after taking wickets with the first two balls of his seventh over, but unfortunately just missed out on the holy grail of bowling.

In first grade Mulbring extended their unbeaten season run out to nine wins and hardly raised a sweat in their nine-wicket demolition of Wine Country at Mulbring Oval.

Wine County won the toss and elected to bat, but were skittled inside 27 overs for just 61, without a single batsman making double figures.

Tom Cremona (3-15 off 8) and Matt Zechel (2-9 off 3) ripped through the top order, with Ben Neaves (2-15 off 5) also bowling tidily in his debut game for the club.

The Marlins wasted no time reeling in the small target in reply, reaching it in the 11^th over after losing just the one wicket.

Greg Sheehan was promoted to opener after limited time in the middle of late and smashed 37, with opening partner Jason Varoxis remaining unbeaten on 21.

Nathan Wright (1-7 off 2.1) was the sole wicket taker for the Wood Ducks.

Bellbird jumped back into second spot but did not get it all their own way against an ever-improving Peden’s Hotel at East End.

Batting first Bellbird complied a healthy 7-235 from their forty overs, with Ben Fairlie noodling the ball around nicely for 70.

Jason Orr returned to form with a crisp 64 at the top of the order, with Joey Main making 44. Matt Hopley was the pick of the Peden’s attack with an expensive 3-71 off 10, with Dale Johnston bowling tidily with 2-37 off 9.

Buoyed by their first win of the season last week, the Piranhas gave the run chase a real good shake, but unfortunately paid the price of not batting out their overs. They were dismissed for 202 but still had eight overs left to spare in a real competitive run-chase.

Ben Reid is emerging as a fine all-rounder with 54 batting at first drop. Dale Johnston, unfortunately, ran out of partners with an unbeaten 42 in an excellent all-round performance. Openers Matt Cappa (41) and Justin Barry (29) and the dangerous Hopley (20) all scored freely.

Nic Siers was the pick of the Tiger attack with 4-37 off 6.5, with Billy Orr (3-57 off 8) getting back into the groove after shoulder surgery in the off season.

Dave Gyler (2-10 off 4) provided the calming influence when things were getting a bit tight.

Greta/Branxton had the bye.