MARONG has two rounds to hang onto its position in the top four and play finals in the Emu Valley Cricket Association for the first time since 2011-12.

The Panthers booted Mandurang out of the top four and took its position after defeating the Rangas by 37 runs at home on Saturday.

Marong’s score of 9-220 proved beyond reach of the Rangas, who were dismissed for 183.

The Panthers now sit in the top four for the first time since round one of the 2016-17 season.

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Marong’s successful defence of its total featured an even bowling spread, with captain Tom Wilson (2-39), veteran Greg Toomey (2-31) and Duane Anderson (2-9) all taking two wickets apiece.

The Rangas had been 3-124 before losing their last seven wickets for 59 runs.

Only skipper Matt Pask (51 n.o.) and Beau Roy-Clements (46) made more than 20 for the Rangas, who have lost their past three games.

As well as the win propelling the Panthers into the top four, it also ended Mandurang’s recent dominance over Marong.

Before Saturday Marong hadn’t defeated the Rangas since the 2013-14 season.

• United is now only percentage outside the top four after becoming the first team this season to defeat Sedgwick.

The Tigers overhauled the Rams’ 209 at Court Court, replying with 8-219 to win by 10 runs.

The Tigers shared the load, with eight players scoring at least 15, including captain Harry Whittle, who notched his second half-century of the season.

Whittle – who has already been reappointed as captain for next season – top scored with 51, which included seven boundaries.

Troy Young (25 n.o.) and Dooley Niemann (3 n.o.) combined to get United across the line after beginning their partnership with the Tigers eight wickets down and still 19 runs from victory.

Sedgwick all-rounder Simon Marwood completed a fine all-round game, backing up his 68 with the bat on day one with 4-40 with the ball.

• Emu Creek completed the season’s first outright win that has given it a shot of still finishing on top of the ladder.

The Emus gained maximum points against California Gully at J.G. Edwards Oval.

The Cobras combined for just 194 runs across their two innings in reply to the Emus’ 7-438.

California Gully was dismissed for 93 in its first dig and 101 in its second, with both innings combined lasting less than 60 overs.

Across the two innings the Cobras only had one score of more than 20 – Michael Shatwell’s 42 in the second.

Emu Creek captain Todd Brown followed up his 130 on day one by adding four wickets – 2-24 in the first innings and 2-18 in the second – to be the new leader in the Addy MVP rankings.

• Maiden Gully made its highest score in a decade in a day of batting practice against West Bendigo.

Resuming at 4-117 in reply to the Redbacks’ 148, the Lions added a further 243 runs to amass 360 and win by 212 runs.

Captain Leon Beatty (73), Glen Oliver (67) and Alex Gorrie (53) all made half-centuries in the Lions’ biggest score since their 356 against Heathcote in the 2008-09 season.

Tom Floyd (4-48) took four wickets for the Redbacks.

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