KANE LEATHEM
CRESWICK Imperials secured a second win over reigning premiers Buninyong this season when the Ballarat Cricket Association district division one competition resumed on Saturday.
The Imperials shot seven points clear at the top of the ladder following their convincing eight-wicket one-day win at Buninyong.
Sent in to bat by the visitors, the Bunnies had a host of solid contributors with the willow, including Liam Rigby (37 not out) and Dale Harris (30), to reach a competitive 4-155 at the end of 37 overs.
This left Creswick needing more than four an over to win on the wide open spaces of the Buninyong oval.
And the run chase got off to a poor start with Neil Oxlade and Liam Hepworth dismissed cheaply to leave Creswick in strife at 2-25.
However, that’s where the fun stopped for the home side as Imperials opener Lachlan Pryor and skipper Kane Leathem wrest control of the match. The pair combined for a 131-run third-wicket partnership to cruise to victory after 32 overs, with Pryor 71 not out and Leathem 68 not out.
Elsewhere, Lucas scored a convincing victory over VRI Delacombe at Victoria Park.
Nick Young made an unbeaten 92 to help Lucas post a score of 5-249, before four wickets from captain Nathan Clark left VRI well short of the target, bowled out for 157.
Ballan won the final game of the round, beating Burrumbeet on its home turf.
• Results for most of last Saturday’s round of matches were incomplete when The Courier went to print last night.
A problem with the Ballarat Cricket Association’s website meant clubs had difficulty entering scores.
LADDER: Creswick Imperials 43 points; Buninyong 36; Lucas 33; Ballan 30; Dunnstown 27; VRI Delacombe 18; Burrumbeet 9