In conditions that were a welcome relief from the sweltering heat the previous week, Bellbird kept their unbeaten record in check and have firmed as competition favourites following their nine-wicket thrashing of Mulbring at Carmichael Park.

An out-of-sorts Mulbring batted first, and were all out in the 17th over for just 93, with Drew Olsen (38), Jason Varoxis (28) and Mick Mascord (13) the only batsmen to reach double figures.

Joey Barber was outstanding for the home side with the four-piece, bagging 5-5 off 4 outstanding overs of left arm swing bowling. He received good support from Hilal Abbas who took 3-18 off 4.

The Tigers made fairly light work of the modest target, achieving it in the 12th over after losing just the one wicket.

Skipper Rob Drage remained unbeaten on 55, with Matt Thomson (23 not out) and Jon Schatz (17) also among the runs.

Willie Watson was the sole wicket taker for the Marlins with 1-24 off 3.

The loss ends the Marlins' chances of playing in the final which is scheduled to be played on Australia Day.

Greta/Branxton opened their account with a 27-run victory over Wine Country at Miller Park.

The Blues batted first and were all out on the final ball of their innings for 140, with Josh Dagg (22), Joey Butler, Nathan Holz and Kyle Hall (17-apiece) and Greg Andrews (14) all keeping things ticking over.

Hudson Smith was the best of the Wine Country attack with 3-22 off 4, with Tom Page (2-22 off 4) and Sam Peacock (2-17 off 3) picking up a brace of wickets each.

The Wood Ducks batted out their overs in reply, but were well short of the target in the end with 8-113.

Josh Dwyer played some nice strokes in his 38.

Matt Lightfoot (25) and former skipper Luke Jeans (18 not out) both made starts.

Holz and Martin Shearer were the pick of the Blues' bowlers, both returning figures of 2-19 off 4.

Peden's Hotel remained in second place with their eight-wicket victory over Chelmsford/Denman at East End.

Chelmsford/Denman managed 9-97 from their 20 overs, with Brett Bartley leading the way with 23.

Hayden Yates (17), Adam Bartley (14) and Braydon Harris (13 not out) all made starts, while for Peden's Hotel Ben Read (4-18 off 4) and leg-spinner Jamie Larsen (3-22 off 4) kept a lid on things.

The Piranhas achieved the target in the 13th over after losing two wickets.

Matt Brodie blasted 61, with Justin Barry remaining not out on 17. Yates (1-17 off 2) and Harris (1-6 off 1) were the wicket-takers for the Dragons.

P W L D Points NRR

Greta/Branxton 4/98 off 14.1 (Mal Hedger 31no, Aaron Stephenson 23, Jamie McNamara 22, Cory Stephenson 21, Jesse Ballenden 2-18 off 4) defeated Wine Country 9/95 off 20 (Ty Cowley 17, Jacob Ellis 17, Oliver White 13, Peter Davis 3-21 off 4, Aaron Stephenson 2-8 off 2).

Peden's Hotel 3/125 off 11.2 (Heath Walker 43no, Brett Hindmarsh 16, Greg O'Connor 11, Jordon Jackson-Tilley 1-7 off 2, Mathew Blake 1-13 off 2, Andrew Collins 1-12 off 1.2) defeated Cessnock Hotel 8/116 off 15.0 (Kevin Dryden 53, Andrew Collins 10no, George Copeland 3-26 off 5).

Bellbird bye.

First Grade Mulbring 49 **, Greta/Branxton 49**, Bellbird 40**, Peden's Hotel 36**, Wine Country 24**.

* byes received, 0 points allocated.

Second Grade Bellbird 63, Greta/Branxton 59, Chelmsford Hotel 47, Wine Country 47, Denman Hotel 43, Peden's Hotel 35.

Third Grade Bellbird 55, Greta/Branxton White 52, Wine Country 47, Mulbring 45, Peden's Hotel White 44*, Peden's Hotel Blue 40, Greta/Branxton Blue 37, Denman Hotel 32.

* lost points 23/11/19 for only having 9 players.

Fourth Grade Supporters 63, Cessnock Hotel 56, Bellbird White 44, Bellbird Maroon 39, Chelmsford Hotel 37, Peden's Hotel 37*, Greta/Branxton 35, Wine Country 35.