The individual highlight of the round belonged to Bellbird fourth grade No.4 batsman Jordan Field who smashed an unbeaten 103 against Cessnock Hotel at Carmichael 2.

Set 191 for victory, the 29-year-old came to the crease with his team in a spot of bother at 2-3 and caressed 15 boundaries in a fine innings to set up victory for his team.

If this was not enough, earlier in the day he came on to bowl at the death and took 2-11 off 3 in a memorable day.

In first grade Greta/Branxton wrapped up the minor premiership with still two rounds remaining following their nine-wicket thrashing of Supporters Club at Baddeley Park.

Sent in to bat, Supporters were cruising at the drinks interval at 3-131 and looked like posting a real healthy target.

But whatever was in the oranges at the break appeared to work wonders for the Greta/Branxton side, as the Goannas crumbled to be all out in the 36th over for what was still a competitive 184.

Pete Brennan blasted 59 at the peak of the order, Mick Gates continued his good season form with 39, with Zach Sneesby (33) and Nathan Stapleford (14) scoring freely.

Martin Shearer was responsible for the post drinks collapse, finishing with 6-25 off 10 in a fine spell of bowling for Greta/Branxton.  Alex Walkling was next best with 2-42 off 7.3.

The Blues cruised to victory inside 31 overs in reply after losing just the one wicket, with Barry Richards (74 no) in a cameo appearance and Mark Bercini (scratchy 73 no) getting the job done for the visitors. Co-skipper Joey Butler also timed the ball nicely with 32

 Andrew Nicolai was the sole wicket-taker for Supporters with 1-32 off 8.

Bellbird got one back on the old foe when they trounced Mulbring by 86 runs at Carmichael Park to give them a chance of an all-important top-two finish and a home semi-final.

The Tigers batted first and posted 9-227, with association leading run-scorer Jason Orr again producing the goods with 69. He was well supported by Ben Fairlie who made 53.

Matt Shrieber (37), Nic Siers (22), Gavin Kronholm (15) and Billy Orr (13 no) all chimed in nicely. 

Ben Neaves again proved why he is the association leading wicket-taker with yet another five-for (5-55 off 10) for the Marlins, with Willie Watson next best with 2-55 off 9.

Mulbring were all out in the 36th over for 141 in reply, with Drew Olsen leading the way with 34.

Skipper Cameron Ross (26), Matt Zechel (24) and Tom Callan (16) made starts, but someone really had to push on for the Marlins to pose a genuine threat.

The Bellbird bowlers all bowled fairly economically, with Siers their best to cap a fine all- round game with 4-22 off 10. He was well supported by Billy Orr (3-40 off 10) and Zach

Kronholm (2-40 of off 8). The important win now sees the Tigers just a mere point behind the Marlins.

In the final game of the round Wine Country snuck into the top four on the back of their five-wicket victory over Peden’s Hotel at East End.

The Piranhas batted first and were all out on the final ball of the 34th over for 178. Most batsmen made starts, with Mark Crowfoot continuing to shine in his return year with 45 at the apex of the order. 

Dean Johnston was next best with 34, with Matt Capper (21), Daniel Russell (16), Brett

Hindmarsh (15) and Luke Sweeney (15) all contributing to the total.

Luke Jeans was superb with the four-piece for Wine Country, bagging 5-38 off 8, receiving good support from Johan Briedenhann (2-22 off 4) in his top-grade debut and Dean Elliott (2-53 off 8) who took a brace of wickets each.

The Wood Ducks remained in control throughout the run chase, achieving the target in the 37th over with five wickets left in the sheds.

Club president Mark O’Hara continued his purple patch of form in recent years with a crisp 78, with skipper Matt Lightfoot (42), Jeans (26) in an excellent all-round performance and Elliott (19) steering the visitors to victory.

With two rounds remaining there is still plenty to play for, with the match between Wine Country and Supporters at Allandale this week more than likely deciding who will finish in fourth spot.

In a tight contest for the Club Championship, Greta/Branxton take on Bellbird in the top two grades and fourth grade, with the outcome of these matches more than likely determining who wins the prestigious award.

First Grade: