Exies has jumped to the top of the table after picking up a win over Diggers in the battle for top spot under lights at Exies Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After winning the toss and electing to bat Exies were on the back foot early with Dean Villata (1/11) picking up the wicket of Travers Pickmere (1).
Craig Burge (3) fell soon after to the bowling of Luke Peruzzi (1/19) to have Exies sitting on 2/18 after 11.5 overs.
Phil Burge and Tom Spry got Exies innings back on track with a 46-run partnership inside nine overs before Theo Valeri (2/18) struck to remove Spry (24) and Marc Tucker (2) in the same over.
Aditha Jayasuriya played a supporting role with Burge as they pushed their side towards 100 before Dean Aylett picked up the wicket of Jayasuriya (8).
Trevor Richards (3/26) and Aylett (3/32) bowled tight towards the end of the innings to help restrict Exies to 123 off 35 overs which came thanks to Phil Burge (54) who posted his second half-century in as many matches.
The top order was going to be crucial for Diggers with Theo Valeri and Trevor Richards holding their key to success.
Exies were able to make the breakthrough they needed as Andrew Arnold was able to take the wickets of Valeri (4) and Richards (1) while Connor Bock ran out Luke Peruzzi (0) to have Diggers struggling on 3/8 after 4.5 overs.
Matthew Peruzzi and Scott Smith were tasked with trying to rebuild their innings and were able to put on 28-runs before Arnold (3/16) dismissed Peruzzi (25) while Joel Mulder had Smith (2) stumped by Craig Burge.
Craig Lugton (11) and Dean Aylett (16*) were the only lower order Diggers batsmen to break double digits as Mulder (2/26), Bock (1/9) and Spry (2/4) helped to restrict Diggers to 81 off 35 overs as Exies returned to the top of the table with a 42-run victory.
Exies will be looking to maintain their spot at the top of the table when they take on Hanwood next weekend while Diggers will be looking to continue the fight when they return to Exies Oval on Saturday evening to take on Leagues who are coming into the game looking for their first win in four weeks.