Dederang has jumped two spots into second after posting one of its best wins of recent years.
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The home team ended Lavington’s unbeaten start with a five-wicket victory.
“It’s one of the better ones I’ve been involved in for a long time,” Andrew Creamer said.
It’s a major compliment from the star all-rounder, who stood down over winter as captain after eight years, particularly given the club has played finals the last two seasons.
Lavington is in its debut season at district level and it could hardly have been more impressive in jumping into second spot after four straight wins.
And with provincial grand final player Brad Dalbosco (82) in superb touch at number three, the Panthers looked capable of maintaining their undefeated start after making 7-171.
“They got away from us a little towards the end when we were fielding,” Creamer said.
“They were scoring at eight to 10 an over in the last few and had wickets in hand.
“They left their run well and I had doubts whether we were going to chase that down, but the boys did it with ease really in the end.”
Creamer (3-29) and Nick Hynes (3-36) were the pick of the attack.
Most of Dederang’s top and middle order made a start, with number six Andrew Dishot unbeaten on 44.
“He’s very solid in the middle order for us, which is what we’ve been lacking the last couple of years,” Creamer said.
Dederang still had two overs left when it passed the target.
Wodonga won the other match involving the top four.
The visitors compiled 154 runs, with Matt King (38) and Tom Johnson (26) in form.
Yackandandah could manage only 141, lasting just 33.4 overs.
Provincial premiership paceman Leigh Collins (3-11) did most of the damage.
Elsewhere, Corowa proved too strong for Kiewa.
The home team, which made last year’s grand final but lost a number of star players, posted 7-171 with Corowa’s Nathan Rhodes taking 5-28.
The visitors passed the total only four wickets down from just 27 overs.
And Baranduda belted Howlong by 146 runs.
Baranduda scored 5-208 from its 40 overs and then ripped through the visitors for a paltry 62 from 31.4 overs.
Aidan Ryan claimed 5-13 and now shares the association lead with 11 scalps.