Bombers skipper Jordan McDonald led from the front after electing to bowl, claiming two early wickets as his discplined bowling attack had the Saints reeling at 4-40.

Middle order batsman Trent King led the Saints' revival, scoring 36 in a 61-run fifth wicket partnership, but he was bowled to become McDonald's third victim. The Bombers captain finished with 3-27.

In reply, Tim Brand, 33, and fellow opener Andrew Vague, 26, got the Bombers off to a flyer with a quick-fire opening stand of 66.

Mark Ferguson took 3-25 and King 2-32 to pull the Saints back into the contest, before a composed 23 from Peter Brand guided Quantong to the brink of victory.

But with eight runs to get and four wickets in hand, Brand skied a pull shot to be brilliantly caught by young keeper Tom Wentworth the final three wickets falling for six runs and the Bombers finishing all out for 141.

At Rupanyup, the Jung Tigers caused a huge upset by handing the Blue Panthers their first loss of the season.

The Tigers posted an imposing total of 6-195 after winning the toss and batting first, before bowling the ladder leaders out for 150 inside the 38th over.

Tim Dunlop scored 23, but he was the only batsman to pass 20 for Rup-Minyip, who lost wickets at regular intervals throughout the chase.

Only percentage separates the Bombers and Saints in third and fourth, with the Tigers just a game behind in fifth.

In C Grade Twenty20 action, Natimuk-Goroke secured a tough 11-run victory over Blackheath-Dimboola.

Bulls captain Peter Reynolds snared 5-25 from his four overs to dismiss the ladder leader for 111.

But Will Risdale led the way with three wickets, while Andy Joyce and Brent Tough both snared two, as the Bulls were restricted to 8-100 from their allotted 20 overs.

All sides will fancy their finals chances heading into the break, with just six points separating bottom side Laharum and fourth-placed Bulls on the ladder.