Three-way tie at top at half-way stage

The A-grade continues to be an epic tussle at the top, with three teams tied in first-place with one round remaining before the new year's break.

The Soldiers Club Snipers, Bowning Buffaloes and Royal Hotel Pirates have all had five wins from their eight games to be level on 51 points, five points clear of the Yass Golf Club Piranhas in outright fourth.

With the top three sides all playing teams below them on the ladder it is likely that the three-way tie will remain until after the two-week hiatus.

The Pirates were out in front on their own, but struggled with the bat against the Piranhas, going down by 33 runs at Victoria Park.

In a very low-scoring affair, the Piranhas set a 100-run target and the Pirates could only manage 66 in reply. Jake Forth was the only batsman capable of negotiating the explosive turf pitch, scoring half the Piranhas runs.

But it was the pace pairing of Jarrad Forlonge and Rob Field that secured the result. Both men took three wickets but Field was brilliant, finishing with figures of 3/6 from his nine overs, including five maidens.

The Buffaloes were too good for Boorowa, defeating the bottom-dwellers by 151 runs at Bowning Oval.

The 'Buffs' chose to bat first and made 218 from their 45 overs. AJ O'Mara was the best of the batsmen, scoring 60 before he was run-out. Beau Walker then tore through the Boorowa order, finishing with figures of 5/16 from just four overs.

Chris Rawlinson made a successful return from injury, making 63 for the Snipers, who went on to defeat Harden by 56 runs.

Rawlinson and skipper Dave Field put on a 125-run partnership, as the Snipers notched 187 from their 45 overs. Harden were bowled out for 131 in the 41st over.

Sweeney Cup

The Dalton Dingos look to be the team to beat at the half-way stage of the B-grade competition. They remain undefeated after a nailbiting win over fellow top four side, the Bookham Bulls at Bookham Oval.

The Dingos were sent in first and thanks largely to a half-ton from Marty Smith, the side set a competitive total of 182. Bulls batsman Josh Robertson (57) got the run-chase off to a positive start but they were six runs behind when they ran out of balls.

The Gundaroo Gunners made light work of the Golf Club Taipans, winning by seven wickets at O'Connor Park. A 67-run haul from Adrian Waters wasn't enough, as the Taipans total of 127 was chased down in the 20th over. Gunners opener Anthony Mortimer laid the platform, scoring 62 before he was caught.

The Soldiers Club Horns suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of the Binalong Bushrangers at Binalong Oval.

A 57-run knock from Craig Watson and a late charge from Ben Dyball (40 not out), resulted in the Bushrangers reaching the impressive total of 211 before they were bowled out. After taking four wickets, Joe Logue (28 runs) then got the Horns off to a good start. Luke Darmody then chipped in with 46 of his own but that's where it ended for the Horns, who were bowled out for 140 in the 26th over.

Unbelievably the other match between Harden and Murrumbateman ended in a tie. Harden travelled to Murrumbateman and could only manage 77 before they were bowled out in the 27th over. It could've been a lot worse too, if it wasn't for Zachary Allen's 28. Then amazingly, Murrumbateman were bowled out for exactly 77 in the 20th over. Josh Patterson (25) almost got his side home but didn't receive any support from his teammates. Jeffrey Brown was the hero for Harden, accruing figures of 5/21 from his eight overs.