Lubeck-Murtoa, playing in the Horsham Cricket Association B Grade competition, decided to declare with Graeme not out on 93, just seven runs short of his third consecutive B Grade century.

Graeme made the mutual decision with his son and captain Shannon Reddie, who was the field umpire at the time. 

The Mudlarks had already secured victory against the Horsham Saints after bowling the Saints out for just 40. Lubeck-Murtoa were cruising at 3-140 with Reddie on 93, but with a tight ladder in B Grade, they decided to push hard for the outright and the extra points.

Shannon said the decision to declare with 20 overs left in the day was pre-planned, and Graeme was happy to oblige despite closing in on his century.

"Our plan was to get 100 in front and then pull the pin and get 20 overs at them," Shannon said.

"It didn't worry [Dad] at all. He was sort of in on the plan and I talked to him and he had his eyes set on the 20 overs as well, so he was happy to pull the pin." 

Shannon said he was not sure if he would have been so selfless it he was in the same position as his dad.

"If it was my first 100 I'd probably have a go at it, but it's become a common occurrence for him," Shannon said.

"I think he had a three or four-year drought but he's had a fair crack at them [recently]."

The decision seemed to pay off, as Lubeck-Murtoa took eight wickets in the final session.

They need just two more to claim outright victory when play resumes on Saturday.

It turned out to be an exceptional first day for the father-son duo, with Shannon also taking his best bowling figures of 6-20 in the first innings and claiming two more scalps in the second.

The young captain is in his first season as B Grade skipper, and said there were a number of older heads in the team who were helping him out with the decision-making.

"It's been a bit of a challenge this year," Shannon said. "But I've got good help from Drew Gellatly and Dad. Hamish Gawith has given me a few pointers as well."

The Mudlarks are in contention for the flag in a tight B Grade season.

Blackheath-Dimboola, Colts and the Bullants are the other contending teams, with recent results suggesting any team could win on their day.

In A Grade action at the weekend, results seem relatively secure.

West Wimmera Warriors need a mammoth 274 runs to chase down Horsham Saints, Jung need just 14 more to catch Rup-Minyip, and Homers will look for the outright against Laharum on day two.