A second fifty in as many weeks to Dean Bennett has helped his side stay in first place after a win over Exies Diggers on Saturday evening.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cougars won the toss and looked to make a strong start with Mitchell Williams-Hedges and Bennett at the top of the order.
The opening partnership got the Coro side to 31 in the sixth over before Williams-Hedges (6) was trapped in front by Diggers captain Theo Valeri.
The wicket did little to affect the scoring from the Cougars with skipper Haydn Pascoe joining Bennett out in the middle.
The pair got their side to 1/102 at drinks before Pascoe (35) was caught by Ben Watts to become the second of Valeri's (2/29) victims.
Bennett kept the scoring ticking over with Tim Rand as the Cougars reached 133 before Kim Wheeler trapped Rand (13) in front.
The Coro side looked to elevate the scoring over the final 10 overs with Angus Boulton caught looking to smash the ball over the boundary off the bowling of Wheeler (2/41).
Damien Walker (10) scored at a quick rate before he was bowled by Ben Watts (1/34) before Will Kennedy (2*) and Bennett (85*) saw off the remaining deliveries to see the Cougars finish on 5/174 after their 40 overs.
The chase didn't get off to the strongest start with Dean Crack falling in the first over to the bowling of Alex Flood.
Dean Aylett and Trevor Richards were tasked with the challenge of rebuilding their side's innings after the loss of an early wicket.
Over the course of the next 15 overs, the second wicket pairing was able to put on 63 before Aylett (14) knocking the ball straight back to Kyle Bennett (1/29) who was able to collect the caught and bowled opportunity.
Theo Valeri came out to join Richards, and the pair were able to get their side to drinks on 2/76 meaning the side would need to score 99 runs off the remaining 20 overs.
The third-wicket partnership got their side to 123 when Theo Valeri (36) was dismissed by Haydn Pascoe.
Diggers lost 4/10 with Pascoe (4/21) taking the wickets of Tom Valeri (0), Ben Watts (1) and Rocky Perre (1) within five overs to see Diggers slump to 6/132.
Brett Owen joined Richards with their side requiring 42 runs off the remaining 4.4 overs.
The pair put on 20 but they soon lost Richards (72), who was caught off the bowling of Flood (2/24), and Owen (7), who was bowled by Ben Signor (1/39).
Wheeler (2*) and Grant McMaster (1*) survived the remaining overs to see Diggers finish their 40 overs on 8/159 which handed a 15-run win and top spot to the Cougars.
RELATED
***
While you're with us, did you know that The Area News is now offering sports as part of its growing email newsletter service? Our sports email will keep the sports-mad up-to-date with a round-up of all the weekend's sports action - sign up here.