City Colts' Dave Henderson (5-24) and Centennials Bulls' Mick Hutchinson (5-56) took five wicket hauls to keep their respective sides in the hunt for victory against CYMS and Rugby Union respectively.

CYMS' Dave Neil provided the batting highlight for his side with a knock of 87, but was denied his century when he was caught and bowled to be the last man out after a 40-run stand with number 11 Al Dhatt.

Cavaliers have put themselves in a strong position against Kinross as they look to hold their place at the top of the ladder, needing just 119 runs next Saturday with nine wickets in hand.

Orange City's lower order rescue effort against Bathurst City has kept a win in sight, and leaves them within reach of a return to the top of the standings.

DAVE Neil stood tall for CYMS when no-one else would, posting a knock of 87 to help his team reach 208 in their match against hosts City Colts.

Neil arrived at the crease with the score at 2-23 and provided much needed resilience for CYMS as he found the boundary 14 times.

Unfortunately his wicket arrived on the devil's number when he was caught and bowled by Wayne Sellers for the final dismissal of the innings.

Dave Henderson was outstanding with the ball as he finished with 5-24 off 17 overs.

CYMS' total is far below a par score at the small Bathurst ground but the game is very much an even contest after Colts reached 96 at the close of play, but at the cost of three wickets.

Sellers remains unbeaten out in the middle for Colts on 38, and wasn't afraid to go after the CYMS attack late in the day as evidenced by his four sixes.

Dave Sellers was the next best for Colts with 28 runs and Hugh Le Lievre already has 2-15.

ORANGE City were in all sorts of strife early in their innings against Bathurst City and it took a giant rescue effort from the lower order to help them post a worthy total.

Redbacks went into the game desperate for a win. They're the only team coming into this round with three straight draws, and they were well on top early in Saturday's clash when they had the former competition leaders at 4-48.

Jacob Pepper terrorised the top order and was sitting at figures of 3-3 after just his second over - sitting on a hat trick at one stage.

Blake Weymouth (33) was the only Orange City top order player to get any momentum going but thankfully for his team Nathan Rosser (60) and Andrew Gordon (56) posted vital half centuries to put the contest back on level ground.

Pepper (3-24) and Harrison Craig (3-71) were the leading wicket takers for Redbacks.

The hosts have made a solid start to their reply, sitting at 0-25 with Joey Coughlan quickly finding his way to 18 runs.

WILL Luelf led by example with a knock of 57 for Kinross in their game against front runners Cavaliers but his middle and lower order provided very little support as the team were all out for 158.

Luelf's fellow opener Max Powell (37) stood tall with the captain to hit 72 runs for the opening wicket.

But Luelf's wicket at 4-138 spelt the beginning of the end for the students as the rest of their order splintered apart in little to no time.

Cavaliers' Hugh Middleton (3-22) and Angus Cumming (3-39) were the destroyers with the ball.

Mitch Black was extremely economical with his bowling figures of 0-37 off 25 overs.

Kinross snared the huge wicket of Matt Corben for just 12 runs but it's the only wicket to fall so far, as Cavaliers' Middleton (13 not out) and Bailey Ferguson (10 not out) get ready to resume the chase next Saturday.

BRENTON Anthony's 69 led the way for Centrals in their meeting against a St Pat's Old Boys side looking to stay inside the top four in the race towards finals cricket.

Anthony received some limited support from the top order but after his dismissal left Centrals at 4-111 the rest of his side were able to go on with the job and post a competitive total.

Pat's might see the innings as a chance gone begging, and could have had Centrals out for less than 200 runs at Wade Park if not for some lower order resistance from the hosts to bring the score to 239.

However, the Saints will be pleased with the team effort with the ball.

Four different Pat's players came away with at least two wickets.

Ben Parsons (3-51) led the way while fellow opening bowler Mitch Taylor (2-50), David Cant (2-39) and Connor Slattery (2-41) all doubled up.

IT was perhaps a case of 'what could have been' for the Rugby boys who made a promising start to their innings before being bowled out for a below par score of 223 on a batting-friendly Sportsground deck.

Rugby's opening three of Imran Qureshi (57), Chris Albon (28) and Brad Glasson (45) all pitched in during the team's promising start.

There was never a capitulation from Rugby but there were plenty of encouraging starts from other batsmen which came to an early end, such as Sam Macpherson (25), Oliver Newton (25) and Liam Powell (20).

Mick Hutchinson was kept busy over 23 overs but made good use of that time by finishing the day with 5-56.

Centennials captain Kurt Toole was the other multiple wicket taker with 3-54.

Bulls have played just a single over in reply, for no score.