After winning the toss and electing to bat it was a tough start for Diggers as captain Theo Valeri (1) was run out by Cooper Smith while Scott Smith (7) was knocked over by Marc Tucker (2/27).

The ever-reliable Trevor Richards looked to get his side back on track with Tom Valeri however after putting on 19 for the third wicket Valeri (2) was dismissed by Andrew Arnold (1/19) to see the side sitting on 3/32 after 8.3 overs.

Richards and Ben Watts were able to get their side moving after putting on 32 runs before Watts (21) fell to the bowling of Jimmy Nancarrow (1/26) but it did little to stop the progress from the Diggers as Matt Peruzzi, and Richards kept the scoreboard ticking over.

After Peruzzi and Richards added 81 runs before Richards (58 ret.) top-edged a ball into his head and was forced to retire hurt which then saw wickets start to tumble.

When Richards was forced from the field Diggers were on 132 and while Michael Duncan and Peruzzi added 14 runs when Duncan (9) was dismissed by Tom Spry (1/39), Diggers lost their final five wickets for five runs with Jack Weymouth-Smith (3/27) doing most of the damage as the Diggers side were bowled out for 150 after 35.3 overs.

It was a case of most of the Exies batsmen getting a start but not being able to go on and make the bigger score that was required.

Craig Burge and Weymouth-Smith were able to get their side off to a good start with an opening stand of 34 before Matt Peruzzi picked up the wicket of Weymouth-Smith (23) while Burge (11) was dismissed by Luke Peruzzi soon after.

Exies captain Phil Burge (15), Tucker (19), Arnold (21) and Aditha Jayasuriya (11) were able to break into double digits but weren’t able to get the big score required as Theo Valeri (2/44), Watts (2/21) and Luke Peruzzi (2/19) picked up two wickets each to see Exies dismissed for 134 after 33.4 overs to hand Diggers the 15-run victory.

Diggers will now look to continue their good run when they take on Leagues Club while Exies will take on Hanwood under lights at Exies Oval.