The Pythons first X1 recorded a hard-fought four-wicket win against Port’s second XI to go three points clear of their clubmates on top of the A-grade ladder.

Paterson are a point back on 36 in third position after winning on forfeit from Lakes Village Panthers.

SMR maintained fourth place on 30 points courtesy of another forfeit, this time to Lochinvar.

Regal Hunter Tigers continued their surge up the ladder with a convincing 79-run win against Seaham and are now fifth on 25 points one clear of Lakeside Village, Seaham and Raworth who are separated by runs/wicket quotients.

Bowthorne are a further point back after winning a thrilling battle of the bowlers against Raworth by nine runs.

Lochinvar is on the bottom of the table with 17 points.

Port Stephens first XI’s batting depth was tested after the seconds posted 166 led by 40 from Lleyton Eveleigh and 38 by Shawn Davies. Joshua Beaven in his first game for firsts this season took 5-48.

An upset was on the cards when first XI opener Craig Hunter and prolific No.3 Jarrod Moxey were both out for ducks.

However, in their absence Dion Horne made 40, Matthew Monaghan 30,  and Josh Moxey and Grant Garland finished unbeaten on 41 and 27 respectively to see Port 1 post 6/170 with a handful of balls to spare. 

The game between Bowthorne and Raworth came down to a personal battle of the ball between Bowthorne’s Brendan Salmon and Raworth’s Tim Campbell.

Campbell caused all sorts of trouble for Bowthorne’s batsman claming 6-32 as they were dismissed for 81, but Salmon’s finished with bragging rights taking 6-6 as Raworth were all out for 72.

Matthew Trowbridge had a day out for Regal Hunter Tigers claiming a match-winning 7-25 and making 28 runs against Seaham.

Dustin Blakemore (46), Stuart Elliott (43 not out), Danny Edwards (31) led the way for the Tigers with the bat to enable them to post a healthy 6/191 from their 40 overs.

Thomas Lidbury (3-25) and Andrew Freeman (3-53) both picked up three wickets.

Seaham were unable to string any meaningful partnerships together losing bunches of wickets repeatedly, with Trowbridge the chief destroyer.

Michael Benhard top scored with 40 and Shayne Taylor and Robert Bartlett made 28 and 25 respectively.

Next week