Ocean Grove kept its A1 Grade finals hopes alive with a win against Inverleigh when play resumed after the mid-season break.
Three wickets each to seamer Mick Thornton and spinner Alex Mann helped the Grubbers to dismiss Inverleigh for 115 at Inverleigh Recreation Reserve.
Tidy spells from Sam McGlynn, Dan Roddis and Bailey LeMaistre also helped Ocean Grove’s cause with each bowler picking up a wicket.
Any nerves about chasing the small total were put to rest with a solid opening stand from Adam Arnold (36) and Shaun Fankhauser (25) putting on 58 for the first wicket.
By the time Ocean Grove lost three wickets for no runs, only a handful of runs were needed for victory.
Shane Van Den Nouwland made a valuable 29 from as many deliveries and Ocean Grove is now only half a game outside the top four.
The grubbers meet a faltering Barrabool on Saturday in a one-day clash at Ray Menzies Oval.
In B1 Grade, Ocean Grove is in third spot after a good win against Drysdale.
Drysdale won the toss and batted first, but never got going.
A superb spell of bowling by Craig Byron helped dismiss Drysdale for just 97.
Byron took 6/14 while Tom Kent also bowled well to snare 1/18 from eight overs.
Jackson Kent (38) steered the run chase and the Grubbers brought up the winning runs in the 33rd over despite left-armer Dylan Justice’s 3/22.
C Grade skipper Greg Scarpa made his second century of the season with a superb 107 against Collendina.
Steven Bate chipped in with 57 and Darren Craig made 34 in the hefty total of 8/256.
Collendina made a good fist of the run chase, but fell short by 36 runs.
