KIEWA paceman Jacob Barber unleashed a devastating spell to lead the Hawks to a 29-run victory over Dederang at Dederang on Saturday.
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Defending 145 runs, the visitors looked in trouble when Andrew Creamer helped his side to a steady start.
Enter Jacob Barber.
Barber took 5-0 off six overs to see Dederang plummet from 0-26 to 8-29 in a remarkable batting collapse.
Skipper Shane Streeter was left in awe of the performance.
“It’s the best spell I have ever seen,” Streeter said.
"He was unplayable.
“We were reasonably confident going into it after the way the pitch played last week but we went into the game without Ryan de Vries who is probably the best bowler in the competition.
“Jacob stood up and took them apart.
“It was unbelievable to watch.
“Jacob seemed to shape it in the air and was putting them in exactly the right spot.”
Despite being shell-shocked by Barber’s performance, Dederang refused to throw the match away with Josh McNeil and Nathan McLean rallying late to take the score to 116.
Barber finished with 5-36 while Damien Morrison grabbed 3-34.
Second-placed Kiewa take on rivals Eskdale in the final round with Streeter expecting a tough tussle.
“They are always a tough side,” he said.
“We are second and, with Yackandandah playing Wodonga, all we are worried about is getting a win.”
Ladder leader Yackandandah went on a run spree in defeating Bethanga.
Instead of chasing an outright, the Roos concentrated on batting and made a mammoth 6-342 in reply to Bethanga’s 87.
Cameron Evans blazed 122 and Cooper Garoni 89.
Evans, who hit 15 boundaries in his knock, has 308 runs this season and looks set to play a big role in Yackandandah’s premiership quest.
Bailey Glass also batted well making 68.
Barnawartha-Chiltern came up trumps against Eskdale in a low-scoring match at Eskdale.
With only 118 runs in the bank, the Miners held their opponents to 78 with Tim Hartshorn, Caleb Boxall and Chris Anderson creating havoc.
Barnawartha-Chiltern then chased quick runs in a bid to secure outright points and were dismissed for 78 but ran out of time with Eskdale 6-80 at stumps.
Baranduda were too strong for Howlong with opening bowler Adam Wallace grabbing 11 wickets for the match.
Mount Beauty defeated Wodonga outright at Mount Beauty.