LUCAS has sent a reminder to its Ballarat Cricket Association district division one rivals that it remains a genuine premiership contender in 2012-13.
The newly-crowned Cricket Willow Cup Twenty20 division two champion backed-up its success from earlier in the week with victory over ladder-leader Creswick Imperials at Invermay on Saturday.
Lucas closed the gap on top spot to just four points heading into the final two rounds of the home-and-away season with a 98-run success.
Chasing 244, Creswick resumed at 0-40 on day two of the clash, but barely gave the target a shake.
In fact, the Imperials managed to add just a further 106 runs to the tally, with the Lucas bowlers on top right from the outset.
Opener Matthew Antonio batted most of the day, making a half century, but his efforts were in vain as Lucas eventually rolled the home side for 146.
Jackson Jess was back for his first game since round six and delivered with 3-54, while Simon Hucker got back among the wickets, snaring 4-42.
Lucas, which has the bye in the last round, will be confident of securing a spot in finals with victory over bottom side Burrumbeet next outing.
Other results from Saturday saw Dunnstown defend its score of 186, bowling out Burrumbeet for 118, and VRI Delacombe snuff out Ballan’s attempt at clinching maximum points with a solid second innings batting performance.
LADDER: Creswick Imperials 43 points, Buninyong 42, Lucas 39, Ballan 36, Dunnstown 33, VRI Delacombe 18, Burrumbeet 9.
