With the 50-over match against Yarra Valley teetering on the edge as Ballarat tried to defend its total of 9-247, Ballarat swiftly tore through the opposition to bring their tally to two wins from two matches.

At one stage, Yarra Valley needed just six runs an over in the closing stages with six wickets still in hand, only for the Ballarat bowlers to strike when it mattered most.

Liam Rigby ended a 145-run fifth-wicket partnership, before a run-out from Jacob Eyers just one over later and another wicket to Steve Nicholson in the following over tilted the match in Ballarat’s favour.

Ballarat eventually won by 14 runs, with the late wickets restricting the run rate in the closing stages.

Ballarat’s innings saw almost every batsman get a turn, but they were unable to fully capitalise.

Of the 11 batsmen used, just two were dismissed for less than double figures, with Jason Knowles and opener Cole Roscholler both falling cheaply.

For the majority of the batting line-up, however, the runs came relatively easily.

Golden Point import Suman Jayantha capitalised on a solid knock on the opening day to top score with 45 runs off 50 balls, including five fours and a six.

Bobby Hind (38), Carman Mapatuna (33) and Ryan Knowles (37) also made solid contributions, with Knowles blasting his total of just 23 balls.

The result means Ballarat is one of three undefeated sides after two days of play, with Warrnambool and Mornington Peninsula also yet to be beaten.

Ballarat now has a crucial match on Wednesday against Mornington Peninsula at Coburg City Oval.

SCOREBOARD

YARRA VALLEY 8-233 (cc) LOST TO BALLARAT 9-247 (cc)

BALLARAT

C Roscholler c J Barnard b D Chesney?1

R Hind c M Dall b Daniel Lever?38

O Smith c Q Hodgkinson b David Lever?21

S Jayantha c L Barnard b D Chesney?45

C Mapatuna c S Young b J Thomson?33

R Knowles c K Jones b S Young?37

J Knowles c K Jones b J Thomson?2

L Rigby c S Young b Daniel Lever?22

J Eyers not out?16

S Nicholson c?14

D White not out?8

Extras 10

TOTAL 9-247

Fall: 3, 60, 63, 144, 144, 163, 199, 206, 231 

Bowling: S Young 8-1-0-50, D Chesney 10-0-2-42, David Lever 10-2-1-17, Daniel Lever 10-0-3-53, J Thomson 8-0-2-54, D Hodgkinson 4-0-0-24.

YARRA VALLEY

M Dall c J Knowles b Rigby?27

 R Smith c Eyers b D White?6

L Barnard run out (Eyers)?76

D Leyer c Mapatuna b Rigby?84

B Hodgkinson lbw b Nicholson?5

K Jones lbw b Rigby?84

S Young c Roscholler b Nicholson?2

C Morrow run out Smith/Eyers?3

Daniel Lever not out?9

D Chesney not out?9

Extras 4

TOTAL 8-233

Bowling: AJ Warrick 5-0-0-21, D White 6-1-1-22, J Knowles 8-0-0-56, L Rigby 9-0-3-30, S Nicholson 10-3-2-28, S Jayantha 5-0-0-36, C Mapatuna 7-0-0-37.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au