A REARGUARD action from Diggers couldn't prevent Hanwood registering an outright victory in their Griffith District Cricket Association two-day match on Saturday.

Hanwood secured first innings points on day one after routing Diggers for 25 before replying with 4-145 declared.

With Diggers reduced to 5-48 before stumps, Hanwood was short odds to beat their opponents without needing to bat again.

But Diggers had other ideas and displayed heartening resolve when play resumed to bounce back from their first innings humiliation.

Not out batsman Jason Hampel (35) was unable to continue, but Kieryn Ruyg (18), Pat Whittard (38) and Craig Lugton (20) boosted their side to 168 to ensure Hanwood would have to face up again.

Needing 49 for victory, Hanwood slumped to 1-0 when opener Tom Shannon was bowled by Lugton for a duck.

When Lugton struck again to dismiss Michael McWhirter for 10, Hanwood was looking shaky at 2-11.

But there was no panic from the home side, with Brad Hornery (12) and Cameron McWhirter (7 not out) knocking off most of the required runs. Hanwood captain Dean Catanzariti missed day two because of illness but was confident his team would prevail without him present.

While that proved to be the case, Catanzariti admitted the result came harder than expected.

"I was a little surprised that we had to bat again," Catanzariti said.

"Their (Diggers') bottom order scored more runs than their top order.

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"But they had Pat Whittard coming in late, and he's usually their opener."

Regardless of how long the game lasted, Catanzariti was delighted to score maximum points.

"It was a good effort from the boys and keeps us up there (on ladder)," Catanzariti said.

Diggers are still winless for the season, but captain Scott Smith would have been proud of the fight his players showed.

Before the start of day two, Smith told The Area News he wanted to make Hanwood bat a second time to earn the outright win.

HANWOOD v DIGGERS

Played at Hanwood Oval

Toss won by Diggers

Diggers 1st innings 25

Hanwood 1st innings 4-145 dec

DIGGERS 2ND INNINGS

S SMITH c Milojevic b West 6

L VICO c Hicken b West 1

J HAMPEL ret hurt 35

M BROWN c Cunial b West 0

D REID run out C McWhirter 5

M BUTCHER c&b West 0

C SHEATHER b Shannon 0

K RUYG c Milojevic b C McWhirter 18

P WHITTARD c C McWhirter b M McWhirter 38

C LUGTON c Milojevic b Crosato 20

G FAGANELLO not out 0

Extras 18

Total 168

FOW: 1-8, 2-18, 3-24, 4-44, 5-48, 6-60, 7-116, 8-131, 9-168

Bowling: T West 17-1-4-16, T Shannon 4-1-0-8, C Cunial 2-0-0-10, D Catanzariti 3-0-0-16, C Milojevic 2-0-0-10, M McWhirter 1-0-1-0, C McWhirter 7-0-1-25, M Crosato 2-0-1-3

HANWOOD 2ND INNINGS

M MCWHIRTER lbw Lugton 10

T SHANNON b Lugton 0

B HORNERY c Vico b Brown 12

C MCWHIRTER not out 7

M CROSATO not out 0

Extras 1

Total 3-51

FOW: 1-0, 2-11, 3-28

Bowling: C Lugton 6-0-2-13, G Faganello 4-0-0-15, M Brown 3-0-1-6, K Ruyg 2-0-0-18

Hanwood won outright