Exies Diggers have jumped to the top of the GDCA first grade standings after a 129-run win over Coro Cougars on Saturday afternoon.
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The Diggers side won the toss and elected to bat but lost the wicket of Jake White (3) to the bowling of Ben Signor in the second over of the innings.
Tom Valeri and Luke Peruzzi looked to rebuild the innings with a 29-run stand before Valeri (14) was caught by Haydn Pascoe off the bowling of Signor (2/46).
Diggers skipper Theo Valeri came to the crease and alongside Peruzzi were able to start to turn the momentum in their favour.
The third-wicket pairing was able to put on 43 runs before Angus Kennedy(1/20) removed Peruzzi (13) to have the score on 3/75 after 18.4 overs.
Matt Crack (4) followed soon after, but the experience head of Trevor Richards combined well with Valeri to see their side on track to a competitive total.
Both batsmen were able to post fifties before Valeri (62) was knocked over by Alex Flood (1/56) but Richards (72*) was able to keep the runs ticking over as they posted 6/202 of 42 overs.
The Cougars made a tough start in reply with Dean Bennett (4) falling to the bowling of Theo Valeri in the first over.
Another three wickets fell in quick succession Dean Villata (1/17) picking up the wicket of Mitch Williams-Hedges (4) while Valeri took the wickets of Rob Rand (0) and Haydn Pascoe (9).
Angus Boulton and Will Dalton tried to get their side moving in a positive direction however, after adding nine to the score Boulton (15) became Valeri's fourth victim.
Dalton was able to get runs on the board, but the issue for the Cougars was finding someone to hang around with him.
Luke Peruzzi (2/8) picked up the wicket of Damien Walker (2) while Valeri (5/26) completed his five-wicket haul with the dismissal of Signor (2).
Dalton (20) eventually fell to Peruzzi, and while Mark Burns (11) added some late runs, it made little difference with Coro bowled out for 73 to see Diggers take top spot with the victory.
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