REIGNING premier Emu Creek ended its two-game losing streak on Saturday, belting United by 58 runs in their Emu Valley Cricket Association clash.
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The Tigers' batting failed to fire as they were knocked over for just 117 in the 33rd over at JG Edwards Oval.
Anthony Collins led the Emus' strong performance with the ball, taking 4-11 off 7.2 overs and was well supported by Tyrone Downie (2-14), Andrew Harris (2-14) and Simon Marwood (2-33).
Having been 4-84, the Tigers lost their last six wickets for just 33 runs.
Andrew Collins (45) top-scored for the Tigers as his consistent season continued.
The Emus lost Brad Rowe (0) without a run on the board in their chase, but had few other concerns.
They passed their target four wickets down on the way to a score of 8-175 off their 45 overs to bounce back from back-to-back losses against Marong and Spring Gully before Christmas.
Captain Daniel Chamberlain passed the 400-run mark for the season with his knock of 40.
There were plenty of contributors in the Emu Creek innings, including Tim Hobbs (30), Downie (24), Shane Hamilton (19) and Marwood (17).
All-rounder Andrew Gaul was the best of the United bowlers, taking 3-32 off eight overs.
The loss was United's second of the season - both coming against Emu Creek - and cost the Tigers their position at the top of the ladder.
• West Bendigo has moved into top spot with a 21-run win over Axe Creek at Champions IGA Oval.
The Redbacks' victory was highlighted by a century to coach Matt Dwyer.
Chasing the Cowboys' 8-197, Dwyer finished 128 n.o. in West Bendigo's dominant reply of 2-218.
Dwyer is now the EVCA's leading run-scorer with 454 at an average of 64.8.
In his past four innings, only once has he failed to score at least 50.
The Redbacks had been 2-77 before Dwyer and Ken Bell (39 n.o.) put on an unbroken stand of 141 for the third wicket.
Earlier, Charles Ready produced a fine innings batting at No.8 for the Cowboys.
Coming in with the score 6-110, Ready blasted 75 to give his bowlers a reasonable score to try to defend.
After crossing to Axe Creek from Sedgwick, Brock Watts finished 36 n.o. in his first innings for the Cowboys.
Dale Warren dominated with the ball for the Redbacks in their fourth win in a row, claiming 4-22 off seven overs.
• Mandurang showed it's not yet a spent force, comfortably accounting for Marong at Pearce Reserve.
The Rangas bowled the Panthers out for 166 and then chased their target down with ease to win their fourth game.
Mandurang openers Matt Giri (94, 10 fours, five sixes) and Phil Berry (82, 12 fours, two sixes) put on 143 for the first wicket, laying the platform for the Rangas' total of 3-205.
Giri's 94 followed his 72 against Golden Gully last round, but he fell just short of a second century this season when dismissed by Richard Murphy (1-21).
Jayden Laubsch (2-57) took two of Marong's three wickets.
After winning the toss and batting, Marong lost wickets regularly in its 166.
Richard Murphy's solid form continued with a knock of 41 to be the Panthers' top scorer, while Thomas Huf (24), captain Jeremy Ross (29) and Dylan Tonkin (25 n.o.) contributed scores in the 20s.
Geoff McLean (2-6), captain Warrick Behrens (2-14) and Rhys Williams (2-38) picked up two wickets each for the Rangas as they inflicted Marong's second loss of the season.
• Golden Gully avenged its outright loss to Spring Gully earlier in the season, winning by 79 runs at California Gully Oval.
Spring Gully battled its way to 150 batting first having earlier been 7-82.
Of the Crows' top-six batsmen, only captain Jayden Mannix (11) scored in double figures.
However, the Crows' middle and lower-order, led by No.7 Daniel Bowles and No.9 Timothy Budge, offered some rearguard resistance.
Both batting for the first time this season in division one for the Crows, Bowles made 40 and Budge 36.
The Cobras shared their wickets around. Captain Brendon Lummis (2-17), Cameron Moore (2-21), Steven Hirst (2-21) and Travis Eckardt (2-27) all picked up two wickets each.
Golden Gully handled its run-chase with few problems, compiling 8-229 to square its ledger at 4-4.
The successful run-chase was led by innings' from opener Jeremy Rogerson (48), who made his highest score of the season, Nathan Shatwell (41) and Rick Johnson (31).
Luke Hutchins (2-44) and Budge (2-18), who capped a fine game, were the multiple wicket-takers for the Crows.
• Sedgwick won its second game, defeating Maiden Gully by 44 runs at Club Court in what was a clash of the two bottom teams.
Opener Damien Coppock (67) in his first innings of the season and Greg Burns (58 n.o.) both made half-centuries in the Rams' 8-238 - their first score of more than 200 for the season.
Opening bowler Brett Haw snared 3-44 for the Gully, whose innings lasted 32.1 overs in reply before being bowled out for 189.
Veteran Scott McKenzie (5-31) and captain Dustin Elliott (4-21) were the destroyers with the ball for the Rams, combining for nine wickets.
Marc Brownlee (58) led the way with the bat for the Gully. Opener Mark Gorrie added 36, while Haw followed his three-for with 25 batting at No.8.