LONG WALK: East Ballarat's Harli Givvens returns to the sheds after losing his wicket. Picture: Luke Hemer

It's becoming apparent anyone wanting to dethrone Wendouree will need to answer a nagging question - how do you get Sam Miller and Cole Roscholler out?

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

The Red Caps' openers combined for 215 runs across a commanding weekend - helped largely by a 168-run partnership in Saturday's nine-wicket rout against East Ballarat.

Miller stood tall against the Hawks to notch his second century of the summer. Chasing 173, the left-hander eased into his work.

Quick singles turned into front foot dominance, before a full-blooded strike through cover's hands drew the only nervous moment en route to a half-century.

The milestone proved the impetus for the reigning E.J Cleary Medallist.

Miller's next 50 runs would come off just 29 balls, before he holed out in the deep with five runs left to get.

At the other end, Roscholler proved the perfect foil, feeding his teammate the strike when he was flying and depositing the bad ball when offered.

The classy bat was the first to reach his half-century and had to do little but watch as a victory raced closer.

This season, the pair has scored 640 runs - only narrowly less than Brown Hill's tally of 652.

Despite a minor output in Sunday's win against Napoleons-Sebastopol, Miller still averages 70.60 this season.

Wendouree openers Sam Miller and Cole Roscholler are in fine touch. Picture: Adam Trafford

Roscholler, with 38 on Sunday, took his average to 57.40.

The scary prospect for Wendouree's competitiors is that neither were needed in the Red Caps' 100-run victory against Naps-Sebas.

Batting first, it was the middle order shouldered the responsibility.

Knocks of 40 by veteran Heath Pyke and captain Ryan Simmonds sandwiched a classy innings from keeper Oliver Mahncke (46).

With contributions from the top and extras welcomed, the hosts finished on 8-251.

The defence couldn't have started much better, 1-8 turning into 3-18.

Bit-part contributions from the Napoleons-Sebastopol' middle-order kept hopes alive before talismanic all-rounder Sajith Dissanyaka threatened to swing the game in the underdog's favour.

Buoyed by a 3-39 performance with the ball, Dissanyaka rode edges to the boundary until the nerves were settled.

Full balls were muscled through the legside, short stuff glided to third man, all bringing the total closer.

Cricket's vernacular holds true and with one positive shot too many Dissanyaka was made to depart for 62.

His accomplice, Corey Hucker (31), attempted a recovery but with his dismissal the tide turned again.

Sanjith Dissanayaka had a strong showing against Wendouree. Picture: Adam Trafford

The next four wickets would fall for just 16 runs. Wendouree had proved its might.

Zack Maple, having only made his firsts debut in Saturday's win, was the Red Caps' best with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-15.

If the weekend's double-headers asserted Wendouree as the pacesetter, it only served further to cloud judgement on who the biggest challengers might be.

Outplayed by the Red Caps on Saturday, East Ballarat responded to beat Mt Clear and hold its spot in the top four.

Having dropped to 2-12 after choosing to bat, history threatened to repeat for the Hawks until their stars stood up.

Harry Ganley (77) steered the innings, while contributions from Lewis Hodgins (32) and Tom Walton (29) pushed the hosts to 201.

The Mounties' response followed a damning trend.

Batters got starts but couldn't craft the innings needed to swing matches. Only defiance from captain Jacob Smith (44) saw Mt Clear finish 27 runs shy.

Alongside Wendouree and Darley, Ballarat-Redan announced its quality by winning both matches.

After surviving a nail-biter against Brown Hill, the Two Swords' meeting with North Ballarat on Sunday was always going to be different.

Max Riding takes guard for Ballarat-Redan. Picture: Adam Trafford

This was a Roosters side that a day before rolled last season's grand finalists, Golden Point, for just 51.

Young quick Mitch Nicholson (5-9) and Ash McCafferty (3-9) were the chief destroyers at Eastern Oval.

Despite the previous day's bowling dominance, North Ballarat opted to bat against Ballarat-Redan.

Leigh Lorenzen (46) continued his form alongside Dylan Price (48), while a cameo from Mick Nolan (30) kept the runs ticking.

A late rebuke from Two Swords' quick Matt Aikman (3-28) stemmed the flow, leaving his teammates with 197 runs to chase.

At 1-7, the hosts' response started on the back foot.

Roosters recruit Mohan Bandara picked up the first scalp in a strong opening four-over spell - his only bowl for the game - which saw him finish with figures of 1-13.

North Ballarat's Mohan Bandara celebrates a wicket. Picture: Adam Trafford

The Two Swords' rebuild fell on familiar shoulders.

Opener Zac Jenkins, standing in as captain, worked his way to 58, with Jayden Hayes soon joining him in the half-centurions club.

The pair would post 86 runs for the second wicket before Hayes (54) fell to Leigh Lorenzen (3-52).

Another cheap wicket would follow, demanding more of the Two Swords' lower-order.

Thankfully for the hosts, Ryan Aikman was back from Premiers seconds duty and dutifully took on the task.

The keeper formed a valuable partnership with Bailey Hosemans (22), until the youngster departed with 15 runs required off 16 balls.

Zac Jenkins' knock was crucial in Ballarat-Redan's win. Picture: Adam Trafford

Hosemans' dismissal brought Riley Fisher to the crease with the game in the balance. Deja vu.

The teenager didn't need Aikman's help in the end. Fisher faced eight of the next nine balls and sent Ash McCafferty to the boundary twice to win the game in the penultimate over.

With round six and round two completed, Wendouree sits comfortably at the top ladder, unbeaten.

Darley is its closest rival in second, after a statement-making weekend.

After two tense wins, Ballarat-Redan earned its place in third - equal on points with the reigning premiers.

East Ballarat sits fourth, one win off the pace.