East Ballarat produced an outstanding bowling performance, striking early to have the Bunnies on the back foot.

Oliver Hayes did the initial damage, he took the first three wickets – claiming key scalps of Matthew Worsnop, Harli Givvens and Liam Brady – to end the day with figures of 4-14.

The best partnership Buninyong could muster was a fifth-wicket stand of 26 between Stuart Squire (18 runs) and skipper Liam Rigby (29). But the wickets fell consistently, the Bunnies all out for 104 in the 41st over.

The Hawks had little trouble in the run chase.

At 4-57 things had stalled momentarily, but Brad Whittaker – who top-scored with an unbeaten 44 – steered the ship in the right direction, he and Shane Gray (6*) the two men at the crease at the finish line – East Ballarat passing the total with six wickets in hand.

East Ballarat captain Josh Brown was pleased with the display.

During the week he said this was a big clash given the likelihood that both teams will be vying for positions in the top four come year’s end – the Hawks landing an early blow to Buninyong and a boost to their own hopes.

"It was tough to bat out there. But I felt we bowled pretty well, kept the pressure on them,” Brown said.

"We started (our run chase) off well and then lost a couple. 

“Then Whitts (Brad Whittaker) came in and made his 40 or 50 to steady the ship – which is why we got him back.

"You've just got to back your game in (when chasing a low total), if you start changing that's when you can collapse.

"To get it four-down, it was really good.

"They've got some very good players, so to beat them convincingly is a good sign for us.”

For Buninyong, it is losing touch with some of the top teams. 

After recruiting heavily ahead of its first grade debut, the first five rounds have brewed just two victories.

Next week’s clash with top four side Brown Hill is a must-win clash for Buninyong.

REIGNING premier Golden Point was back in full flight on the weekend, led by a stellar century from skipper Josh White as it inflicted the first loss of the season upon Brown Hill.

White, who made 101 of 112 balls, led his side to an imposing total of 5-281 – Simon Ogilvie (47) in game 150 and Lachlan Anderson (44) also playing key roles.

White said it was a good wicket to bat on and his side certainly made the most of it.

“It felt pretty good, it’s always good to get a few,” White said.

“We batted well to get 280.

“It was a pretty good batting wicket, so we were happy with 280.”

Brown Hill captain Ryan Knowles played a lone hand with the bat for the Bulls, his 59 runs the top-score in the side’s 146 as Golden Point controlled the match.

“We had control.

“They were two-down early...we restricted them and it was a pretty pleasing all-round performance.

“We’re above the ledger now, 3-2, we’re thereabouts and hopefully we can try and win again next week.”

NORTH Ballarat made it back-to-back wins after victory over Darley on Saturday, once again the triumph stemmed from the lethal arm of Ash McCafferty.

The North paceman tore Buninyong apart last week, taking 6-15. On Saturday, he was at it again, this time with figures of 5-21.

Darley ended its 50 overs at 9-130 and North Ballarat comfortably reached the total.

North taking home a six-wicket victory as Mick Nolan top-scored with 43.

MT CLEAR responded after suffering its first loss of the season last week, a rejig of the batting order worked wonders as the Mounties piled on 8-265 against Ballarat-Redan.

Brendan Moyle opened after previously batting at number five, Matt Ward dropped from three to five and Jarrod Burns three to four. The changes allowed certain players better opportunity with the bat, and they took it.

Nathan Yates top-scored with 79, Jarrod Burns made 57, Hayden Cartledge smashed 46 off 32 and recruit Jacob Smith had his best return with 42.

Matthew Aikman the pick of the Two Swords bowlers, taking 4-27.

Mt Clear bowled tight, keeping the pressure on Ballarat-Redan – and the results came, all out for 171.

Batsman Matthew Ward was pleased with the performance.

“We spoke about our performance last week against Wendouree, we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel, we just needed to be a bit smarter and Nathan Yates and Jarrod Burns showed that,” Ward said.

“We kept that pressure throughout the whole day. They’re a young team but they’ve got some quality batsmen, we thought if we could create that pressure opportunities would come and they did.”

WENDOUREE had a raft of contributors as it made 5-270 on Saturday, setting up a 52-run victory over Napoleons-Sebastopol.

Cole Roscholler top-scored with 67 runs while Heath Pyke (60) and Jack Peeters (54*) also enjoyed great days with the bat.

A 92-run partnership between Roscholler and Pyke the best of the afternoon, guiding the Red Caps to a total that was always going to prove difficult for the winless Naps-Sebas.

However, Napoleons-Sebastopol can hold its head high after a solid response with the bat.

While it was always behind the run rate, Naps-Sebas made 6-218 – its highest score for the season. 

The strong score was led by skipper Dan Scott (64) and Nathan Doonan (54), who put on 102 runs for the first wicket.