A close win by the C grade Blackheath-Dimboola Bulls, and a loss by the B grade team still have both in the top three on their respective ladders in the Horsham Cricket Association after round five.

Blackheath-Dimboola 107 in 35.5 overs (B Cramer 43, B Marrs 39) lost to Horsham Saints 4/109 in 19 overs (B Marrs 2/36)

The B grade team went into their clash with Horsham Saints on Saturday with eight changes from the team that took to the field the previous weekend, which was always going to be a challenge, and despite a loss, they remain firmly in the top two.

Taking the opportunity to bat first did not start as well as expected when the third wicket fell with the total on just 22, but a fourth-wicket stand between Brodie Cramer, who made an innings-high score of 43 and Brenden Marrs (39) took the team to 86 before Marrs lost his wicket.

The fall of the fifth wicket with the total just over the century signalled the start of a collapse that saw the last six wickets fall for just four runs, leaving the team on 107 from 35.5 overs.

Jack Landt was the other batsman to make double figures with 11.

In the Saint’s run-chase, an early wicket kept the Bulls in the match, but several significant partnerships saw them pass the target in the 19th over.

Marrs was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 36, and Landt and Anthony Vicendese both took one each.

With their first loss for the season, the Bulls remain just one win behind the ladder-leading Colts in second place on the ladder, as they look forward to a week off with the bye this Saturday. Their next game will be against Colts at Dudley Cornell Park in Horsham on December 18.

Blackheath-Dimboola 141 in 29.2 overs (N Schorback 60 not out, N Laverty 29, M Barry 15) defeated Homers 126 in 36.4 overs (A Laverty 4/20, J Laverty 2/17, I Schorback 2/28)

A fourth win from five games has the C grade Bulls in third place on the ladder, equal on points but with an inferior percentage to the second-placed Horsham Saints Black, and a game ahead of Quantong in fourth place.

The highlights of the Bulls innings on Saturday against Homers included 60 not out by Nathan Schorback and contributions of 29 from Nigal Laverty and 15 by Malcolm Barry, which saw the team post 141 from 29.2 overs.

A total above the century did not look likely early on when the team slumped to 4 for 11 and then 6 for 33, but Schorback and Laverty ensured that they posted a competitive total.

Homers had a more confident start to their innings, but with some determined bowling and tight fielding by the Bulls, the last batsman was dismissed still just 15 short of the Bull’s total.

The bowling card was dominated by 4 wickets for 20 runs off 6 overs by Archer Laverty and two wickets each to Jordy Laverty and Isobelle Schorback.

Next Saturday, the C grade team also has the week off with the bye, and they will resume the following week with a match against Colts at Dudley Cornell Park in Horsham.