Buninyong has forced its way into the Ballarat Cricket Association firsts top six as the race for finals tightens up.
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In the first post mid-season break reshuffle at the top, Buninyong displaced Ballarat-Redan in sixth.
Skipper Liam Brady led Buninyong with a unbeaten century to a six-wicket win over Brown Hill - enough to edge it past Ballarat-Redan on percentage after the Two Swords went down to a rampaging Wendouree by 115 runs.
Brady said it was just the win Buninyong needed.
"It keeps us right in contention (for finals)."
He said they had felt comfortable in keeping Brown Hill to 192 on a fast out-field at St Patrick's College.
Brady said Buninyong's batting was improving as the season progressed.
Brady shared a 112-run second-wicket stand with Bobby Hind, 47, to break the back of the run chase.
While Golden Point did not move from eighth, a gritty seven-wicket win over Darley means the Pointies are now within three premiership points of the top six.
Josh White played the anchor role for Golden Point with an unbeaten 76 after Darley's Danza Hyatt had a similar role for the Lions with 64 runs.
The head of the competition has also tightened up with eight rounds to play.
Second-placed Mt Clear took down top side East Ballarat by three wickets to join the Hawks on points.
They have North Ballarat breathing down their necks, just three points off the pace.
Half centuries to Dylan Achison, Leigh Lorenzen and Mick Nolan guided the Roosters to 8-235 against Napoleons-Sebastopol, which put up gallant effort to reach 200.
The other change in the top six came with Wendouree leapfrogging Darley tovfourth - only one win from top position.