Mt Clear fended off a feisty Ballarat-Redan outfit by 49 runs to re-affirm its top-two bid in the Ballarat Cricket Association.
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The Mounties, 262, held off the Two-Swords, who were bowled out for 213 in the second day of a two-day clash on Saturday.
Despite entering day two with a comfortable score under its belt, Mt Clear batsman Jarrod Burns said the bowlers had plenty of work to do.
"We were lucky we got early wickets because if they had a few more in after tea it could have been a different game," he said.
"It wasn't easy, that was for sure."
Early wickets set the tone for Mt Clear, which had the Two-Swords at 2-3 after Grant Trevenen and John Butler dismissed the Ballarat-Redan openers.
But a flat pitch ensured remaining wickets would be hard to come by.
"The track flattened out and you could really tell it was hard work getting wickets," Burns said.
"It would have been nice to bat on, but our bowlers did well and we didn't drop any catches."
Butler led the attack for Mt Clear, finishing with figures of 3-37 and three maidens. He was backed up by Nathan Yates who produced 4-47 off 13 overs.
"The two openers Grant Travennan and John Butler bowled really well and got the early wickets," Burns said.
"Then Nathan Yates came on and used his experience to show us how it was done."
English import Sam Burgess, 48 off 70, formed the backbone of Ballarat-Redan's run chase. He was assisted by Matthew Aikman, who produced a knock of 47 at the tail-end.
The win marks the ninth of the season for Mt Clear, which sit second on the competition ladder.
Burns said the side was in a good spot.
"Having a win today keeps us second and come finals cricket, with Ballarat weather, the higher you are the better it is," he said.
Meanwhile Darley fended off Wendouree by 67-runs to stay undefeated in its clash at Darley Park. The Red Caps, 93, were unable to account for the Lions' first-innings score of 160.
Dynamic bat Danza Hyatt led the way for Darley with 73 off 102. He was backed up by Bradley Barnes, who was solid the in middle order with 41.
Mitchell Ward finished with figures of 3-21.
Elsewhere Simon Ogilvie scored 61 runs to guide Golden Point to a three-wicket victory over North Ballarat.
The Pointies, 7-177, easily accounted for the Roosters' score of 148 at Northern Oval.
Buninyong dispatched Brown Hill by 112 runs, after bowling out the Bulls for 146 at St Patrick's Oval.
And East Ballarat was too good for Napoleon-Sebastopol.