CRICKET: Horns join Gunners at top

A five wicket haul from AJ O'Mara helped the Bowning Buffaloes remain in top spot, as they held the Yass Golf Club Piranhas at bay on Saturday.

It didn't look good for the 'Buffs' after an average batting display (with the exception of a half century from Dave Brown) on the O'Connor Park wicket, left them with just 119 to defend. However the Piranhas lower order batsmen couldn't handle O'Mara, who finished with figures of 5/16 from his nine overs.

The Piranhas came close through a good late partnership between Chris Bradley and Calan Kemp but eventually fell 17 runs short. It's the second straight loss for the Piranhas, who now sit in outright fourth place.

Positioning themselves strongly alongside the Buffaloes in first-place are the Royal Pirates and Soldiers Club Snipers, who both had dominant wins at the weekend.

The Pirates bowled out an under strength and 10-man Harden side for 99 and confidantly chased down the total in the 17th over. Nick Pollack scored a half century as the Pirates got the job done with seven wickets to spare.

The Snipers also made light work of their fixture with Boorowa, defeating the competition newcomers by 216 runs at Victoria Park. The home side batted first and a 99-run haul from Allan Neill with support from Dave Field (34), Craig Irwin (33) and Steve Okkonen (30 not out) brought up a total of 257. Boorowa, in reply, could only make 41 before they were dismissed. Mark Garland taking seven wickets in just four overs.

The ladder as it stands after round 4: Snipers, Pirates and Buffaloes 27; Piranhas 22; Harden and Boorowa 9.

Sweeney Cup

The Soldiers Club Horns have beaten the Gundaroo Gunners to join them at the top of the Sweeney Cup ladder.

The Horns travelled to Gundaroo and lost the toss but managed to restrict the previously unbeaten Gunners to just 104. For a team that has averaged 283 after the first three rounds of competition it was a brilliant bowling feat for the Horns. Luke Darmody was the destroyer finishing with figures of 6/28 from his eight overs.

The away side made short work of the run-chase only losing three wickets on their way to the total. Brad Hansen was the best of the Horns batsmen scoring 46 not out.

The Bookham Bulls have bounced back from last weekend's loss to defeat the Yass Golf Club Taipans by 132 runs. A 64-run innings from Elliot Southwell got the Bulls off to the perfect start before their bowling attack led by Ross Armour (5/32) completed the emphatic win.

A close match was played out at Dalton Oval between the Dingos and Murrumbateman but the home side got up with three wickets to spare. A 40-run opening stand between Nathan Apps and Neil Corby set the platform as the Dingos chased down the 101-run total in the 18th over. 

And the Binalong Bushrangers have had their first win of the season, defeating Harden in Harden by six wickets.

The Bushrangers knocked over the home side for 82, before starts from a number of Binalong batsmen ended with a successful run chase in the 16th over. Dylan Arabin was the difference notching figures of 4/13 from his six overs.

The ladder as it stands after round 4: Gunners and Horns 27; Dingos 24; Murrumbateman 22; Bulls 19; Harden and Binalong 14; Taipans 12.