Peden’s won the toss and batted first, but again failed to bat out their 40 overs.

They were dismissed in the 36th over for 155, with Luke Johnston continuing his recent good form with 31.

Skipper Mick James (26no), Tom Lantry (23), Ben Read (19) and Dale Johnston (15) all made handy contributions.

For Bellbird Billy Orr took the new ball and was back to his destructive best with 5-34 off 10, with Wade Attewell (2-33 off 6) and Dave Gyler (2-30 off 6) picking up a brace of wickets each.

Tigers skipper Rob Drage took a quick glimpse at the radar in the change of innings, and with storms quickly approaching he went about reeling in the modest target in record time.

He smacked the ball to all parts of the small arena to finish unbeaten on 92 from just 25 scoring strokes. Drage’s timing was sublime at the crease and perfect to secure the result with lightning striking near the ground just five minutes after stumps were drawn.

Opening partner Jason Orr returned to form with 51, with the home side achieving the target inside 13 overs. James (1-10 off 1) and Luke Johnston (1-14 off 1) took the wickets for the Piranhas.

Bellbird have a tough draw to finish the season, facing third-placed Greta/Branxton this Saturday and minor premiers Mulbring in the final round, but they have to win just one of these matches to ensure they finish second and secure an all-important home semi-final.

Minor premiers Mulbring were staring down the barrel of their first defeat of the season at the hands of Wine Country at Allandale before the match was abandoned due to lightning.

Batting first Wine Country scrambled to 116 inside 35 overs, with skipper Matt Lightfoot defying the conditions with a well-timed 43.

Promoted to opener Steve Abel also worked the ball nicely for 35, with Dave Farrell (19) the only other willowman to reach double figures. Ben Neaves (4-12 off 9) and Greg Sheehan (4-31 off 8.3) did the majority of the damage for Mulbring.

The Marlins got off to a positive start in reply at 0-28, but then uncharacteristically lost seven wickets for just 39 runs to be reeling at 7-67 when lightning brought play to an abrupt halt.

Adam Sheehan (14), Jason Varoxis (13) and Drew Olsen (13) made starts for the visitors, while for the home side Steve Abel completed a fine all-round game with 3-5 off 5.3. Former association cricketer-of-the-year Scott Miller blew out the cobwebs with 3-20 off 6.

The drawn match sealed fourth spot and a second consecutive semi-final berth for Wine Country. Greta/Branxton had the bye.