TAHARA has claimed third place on the Hamilton and District Cricket Association C Grade ladder after defeating its biggest rival for the premiership, Macarthur, at Macarthur Recreation Reserve.
The Blue Caps gambled and sent the home side into bat after winning the toss, but the Tahara bowlers backed up the skippers call by delivering a brilliant line and length that restricted Macarthur to only 7-128 from its allotted overs.
Matt Timms (57) and Ian Brilley (29-not-out) were the only Macarthur players to reach double figures as wickets fell regularly, with the bowlers keeping the run rate down to barely 3 runs per over.
Harry Goodman (3-6) and Travis Rhook (2-17) were the only multiple wicket takers for the visitors but it was a great display from all the bowlers against the powerful Demons batting order.
Timms grabbed early wickets to hand Macarthur hope and he was supported by the rest of the bowlers as they reduced Tahara to 5-78 in reply, but Rhook (20-not-out) and Riley Dark (25-not-out) came together to steer the side to the target without further loss.
With second-placed College also being defeated, the top four have all bunched up with only a single victory between the top three on the ladder with seven rounds remaining.
