Golden Point top order batsman Lachie Herring faces an extended time on the sidelines with an Achilles tendon injury.
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Herring was struck down while batting against his former side and reigning premier Darley in Ballarat Cricket Association firsts at the Eastern Oval on Saturday.
Golden Point captain Andrew Warrick said Herring suffered the injury while setting off for a run. "He was in a lot of pain."
Warrick said Herring was taken to hospital and was likely facing surgery.
He said it was disappointing, given Herring had been valuable addition this season.
Herring was on 11 runs when he retired hurt and had been building a partnership with Josh White in pursuit of Darley's 165 in a must-win game for Golden Point.
With White making a patient 76 not out (12 fours) and the consistent Sam Younghusband getting an unbeaten 34, the Pointies reached 3-166 with seven overs to spare.
Although comfortable in the end, Warrick said the chase had required plenty of resilience.
Warrick said the win had been crucial with Golden Point looking to stay in finals contention from eighth spot.
Danza Hyatt hit his fourth half-century of the season to top score for Darley with 64 runs.
MT CLEAR, 7-166, waited until the last over to pass East Ballarat's 7-165 at Russell Square in a contest fitting of the top two teams.
East Ballarat struggled with the bat to slump to 7-99 after losing 4-11,
It took a late contribution from Chris Jerram, 41no, and Darcy Thomson, 23no, in an unbeaten stand to get the Hawks to a competitive total.
Mounties had runs across the board after being some trouble early at 2-27, with Jacob Smith getting 40 and captain Jarrod Burns 35.
East's Tristan Dixon returned the best bowling figures of the match with 3-15 off 10 overs.
WENDOUREE opening batsman Sam Miller and Cole Roscholler showed their class with an stand of 133 to put Ballarat-Redan under the hammer from the outset at Alfredton.
Miller reached 73 (6 fours, 1 six) and Roscholler made 51 (6 fours).
Ballarat-Redan had some short-lived joy when they dismissed the duo within 11 runs of each other, but the runs kept flowing as the Red Caps piled on 7-273 in their 50 overs. Heath Pyke put the icing on the cake with 51 (4 fours, 2 sixes).
Although it kept wickets in hand early, Ballarat-Redan was always up against it in the run chase and managed only 158 after losing its last seven wickets for 20 runs.
Ryan Aikman, 75 (5 fours, 1 six) - his best knock of the season - was resolute, but lacked the required support.
BROWN HILL made 192, but it was not enough to keep Buninyong at bay at St Patrick's College.
Knowles brothers Tim and Jason led the scoring for the Bulls with 56 (10 fours, 1 six) and 46 runs respectively.
Rupinder Singh excelled with the ball for the Bunnies, returning his best figures of the season with 4-20.
Buninyong captain Liam Brady ensured victory with 103no (11 fours, 2 sixes). Bobby Hind contributed 47 (5 wins, 1 six).
NORTH Ballarat, 8-235, remains on the heels of the ladder leaders after defeating Napoleons-Sebastopol, 200.
Dylan Achison, 55 (9 fours), Leigh Lorenzen, 51 (4 fours, 2 sixes), and Mick Nolan, 50 (4 fours, 3 sixes) shone at the top of the order.
Ash McCafferty ensured Napoleons-Sebastopol would come up with 6-36.
Sajith Dissanayaka made a hard hit 66 (12 fours) and Dan Scott 48 (4 fours).