NORADJUHA-TOOLONDO is seven runs away from cementing a finals berth after a commanding performance on the opening day of its must-win two-day match against Colts at Dudley Cornell Park.
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Bullants skipper Mat Combe won the toss and sent Colts in a move which paid dividends, as the home side was bundled out for just 89 runs.
Josh Colbert continued his impressive form with the ball, claiming 5-24, while fellow opener Combe also chipped in with three wickets.
The Bullants were 3-82 in reply at stumps, with Colbert undefeated on 21 and David Combe yet to score, after a knock of 36 from opener Rowan Scott.
Mat Combe said the day went the way of the Bullants, who will now play in their third consecutive A Grade finals series.
"We had a good day with the ball. Josh bowled really well he's bowled well all year and it was good to see him get the rewards," he said.
Combe said the Bullants who will now finish fourth would try to work on their batting on Saturday ahead of a semi-final meeting against minor premier Homers.
"I think we'll go in and have a bit of batting practice once we pass the score I think that's what we need to work on," he said.
"We got a bit out of the game against Homers the other week, but we can't go into a final and make 90-plus."
In other matches, Jung Tigers gave Homers a true test in the lead-up to finals at Sunnyside.
The Tigers are 0-39 heading into day two after dismissing the Pigeons for 193.
Shannon Reddie claimed three wickets, while Angus Adams and Aaron Emmerson both collected two. Chris Hopper top-scored with 41 runs for the Pigeons, while Sandy Hodge, 36, and Simon Hopper, 33, also contributed. Blackheath-Dimboola has all but put an end to Horsham Saints' finals hopes after compiling 279 runs at Dimboola oval. The Saints needed a win and a Colts upset to leapfrog the Bullants into fourth-place.
Lachie Watts, 77, and Ollie Young were the pick of the Bulls batsmen, with four other players scoring 20 or more on a batsman-friendly wicket.
Saints opening bowlers Thilan Kariyawasam and Josh Carroll again toiled hard, both claiming two wickets.
In the final match, Ben Peucker played a lone hand for Laharum, scoring 54 of his side's 136 runs against Rup-Minyip at Horsham City Oval.
The Mountain Men elected to bat first, but the Blue Panthers struck at regular intervals, before reaching 2-55 in reply.
Paul Morgan and Clinton Midgely picked up three wickets each, with Glenn and Craig Morgan also chiming in with two apiece.
Keeper-batsman Dan Clark will resume on 27 runs, with his side needing 82 to wrap up its 10th win of the season.