Noradjuha-Toolondo has its fellow premiership contenders to thank for an early Christmas present, with two upset wins catapulting the Bullants to the top of the ladder as the competition parts for the festive season.
The Bullants' rise wasn't undeserved, with the side's experienced hands forced to stand up in a wiry 24-run win against the Horsham Saints.
After sending the Saints into the field, Bullants' new-look opening partnership quickly stamped its authority.
Justtin Combe and Tony Caccaviello combined for their second 50-run stand in a row, before the latter spooned a slower ball to cover and departed for 22.
Matt Combe joined his brother at the crease, and with the help of some inconsistent bowling, wrestled momentum of the game.
The pair rarely look flustered as they posted an 82-run partnership before Matt Combe (34) fell victim to another slower ball that held in the pitch.
Justtin Combe shouldered the Bullants' late-overs assault in style, balancing effortless power-hitting with aggressive running between the wickets.
One risky run too many would prove to be the opener's downfall, however, with Combe run out from the deep for 83.
Some tidy bowling late, led by Shefat Rahman (4-50), restricted the flow of runs, as the Bullants closed their innings on 7-176.
The Saints' openers were always going to face a tough task, but Josh Hedt showed no inhibitions, seeing off the fearsome new-ball duo before seizing his opportunity when it arrived.
The dashing left-hander smoked four boundaries in an over, on his way to a crucial 28.
A misfiring top-order left the Saints sitting precariously at 4-65 and shifted a mammoth task on to Jason Harris' shoulders.
Recognising the situation, Tony Caccaviello took the ball out of the drinks break in an attempt to snare the key scalp.
A first-ball wide, followed by a second-ball six drew excitement from the Saints' supporters, albeit shortlived, with a thunderbolt three balls later ending Harris' knock on 34 and gifting the Bullants favouritism once again.
From there, off-pace deliveries would again prove the difference, as Justtin Combe (3-20) and Josh Beddison (0-11 off 8) spun their opponents out of the game.
Boundaries never came, resulting in a pedestrian end; the Saints finishing on 9-152.
Elsewhere, a captains knock from Dan Schaper guided Rup-Minyip to a one-wicket victory against Homers.
It wasn't smooth sailing for the Blue Panthers, with handy starts from openers Adam Atwood (38) and Chaminda Gamage (33) setting Homers on course for a big total.
Paddy Mills (31) continued the assault when his two seniors left, with help from Nathan Koenig (22).
When Koenig departed at 6-136, the hosts took back the innings.
Blake Turner (3-8) and Clinton Midgley (2-38) took the next three wickets for just 29 runs, restricting Homers to 9-165.
Rup-Minyip's openers batted well for little reward, as Homers' bowlers tightened the screws.
Bit-part contributions from Jamie Byrne (24) and Bailey Young (19) steered the hosts to 3-69, when Dan Schaper entered.
Despite Chaminda Gamage (3-38) dismissing most of his partners, Rup-Minyip's skipper continued to attack.
Fittingly, Schaper would hit the winning runs to end unbeaten on 56, striking at over 130.
IN OTHER NEWS:
At Nhill, Jung Tigers put on their best performance of the season to humble West Wimmera.
The Warriors opted to bat first, and in a common theme, got off to a flier thanks to Nathan Alexander and Mitch Dahlenburg.
Alexander (52) would fall shortly after reaching his half-century, leaving Mitchell Dahlenburg to battle on.
The Warriors' skipper did so, accordingly, until he fell victim to a game-swinging spell from Levi Mock.
Mock dismissed the Warriors talisman for 87 in a three-over set that drew two wickets for only nine runs.
None of the remaining batters reached double figures, leaving the Warriors to end their innings on 7-177.
The visitors' response couldn't have started worse, at 1-0, but the Tigers' top-order refused to roll over.
A 67-run second-wicket stand from Brett Jensz (34) and Brenton Hallam (34) steadied the ship, while a vital contribution from skipper Angus Adams (38) got his side within touching distance.
Luke Smith (2-16) and Josh Lees (2-30) kept matters interesting, but it was too little too late, with the Tigers securing a four-wicket victory in the penultimate over.
Matt Currill
Matt covers the Ballarat Football Netball League and cricket. Get in touch at matt.currill@thecourier.com.au
Matt covers the Ballarat Football Netball League and cricket. Get in touch at matt.currill@thecourier.com.au
