Bindoon Bushrangers: 172 (C.Smith 66, N.Smith 20, M.Johns 3/21, K.Sullivan 3/42) def Moora Knights: 112 (M.Johns 28, K.Wyatt 25, D.Toomey 4/26, J.Bulpitt 2/7).

On a very hot day at the Moora Cricket Ground (MCG) the second placed Bushrangers took on the Moora Knights who were in desperate need of a win to stay in touch with the top four.

Winning the toss and batting first the Knights were in early trouble loosing opener Owen Langley for three early.

From there Kevin Wyatt set about building a total before he was dismissed for 25.

With wickets continuing to fall regularly the Knights players attempted to attack the bowling - a plan that had varying success.

Only a few Knights batsman managed to get going.

Kevin Wyatt ended with 25, Matt Johns 28, Daniel Eacott 16 and Jye Dodd 17.

Once again too few doing the work as the Knights only managed 112.

Defending such a small total would be hard for the Knights, however a wicket in the first over to quick Keiran Sullivan removing Cameron Yates for 0 had the Knights excited.

This brought the dangerous Clayton Smith to the crease.

Smith has been in excellent form for the Bushrangers and this game was no exception.

He chanced his arm immediately, attacking the bowling and hitting plenty of balls in the air.

The Knights missed an early chance to end his top class performance, unable to hold onto a catch, and Smith punished them for it on his way to making 66.

Smith was the only Bindoon batsman to really get on top of the bowling.

The Knights bowlers worked hard, applying plenty of pressure but were unable to contain Smith who was the difference between the two teams.

This was a winnable gain for the Knights and should give them some confidence for future rounds.

It also showed a potential lack of depth in the Bindoon team which will be of some concern as they head to the finals.

In other games this week, bottom placed Gingin Reds managed the upset of the round defeating a depleted Bindi Miling Rams team.