Exies remain the only undefeated side this season following a 36-run win over Diggers in the Griffith District Cricket Association first grade competition on Saturday.
Exies had a one-point buffer over Diggers heading into the top of the table clash but have now moved more than a win clear.
The sensational start comes on the back of a wooden spoon-winning season in 2015/16 and captain Phil Burge was glad to be back to winning ways.
“It’s a pretty good start for us and these early wins in the season are very important,” Burge said.
“We’ve just had a bit of a change of attitude.
“We’ve changed a few things off the field, we’ve had a bit more commitment to training and it’s showing on the field.”
The win may have not happened had it not been for Michael Shepherd (49) as Craig Lugton (1-12) struck the first blow for Diggers.
The wicket of Mann saw several more follow as Exies slumped 5-62.
With Shepherd still at the crease, the opener combined with some lower-order batsmen to see Exies to 9-147 as Jason Hampel (4-29) proved a handful.
“He [Shepherd] played a big part in getting our total to where it got to,” Burge said.
“Our middle order struggled a fair bit yesterday.
“It wasn't ideal but luckily we have a bit of experience down the order.
“Duane Ashcroft (27) put on a few then Jack [Weymouth-Smith] put on 20 at the end there, which boosted our total to quite a good one, I thought.”
Exies’ Justin Winkler (3-20) struck in the sixth over to quickly take the upper hand in the match.
Diggers were reduced to 3-30 and looked in real strife.
However, Scott Smith held the innings together with a gritty 30.
He was eventually the fifth wicket to fall when he was run out by Weymouth-Smith with the score on 64.
Jack Favell (14) Simon Miller (11*) and Nathan Richards (10) did their part at the end of the innings but it wasn’t enough.
Diggers were bowled out for 111 thanks to Winkler’s and Ashcroft’s (3-18) efforts.
Third grade
Coleambally third grade has continued their great start to the season with another win, this time over Exies.
Tight bowling from all the Coly bowlers made it difficult for Exies to amass a total, with Cooper Smith (2-8) and James Buchanan (2-7) the pick of the bowlers.
Chasing a modest 95, Coly lost an early wicket in Bryce Rogers (0) before a strong partnership between Chris Haynes (24) and Tom Bowditch (23) made light work of the total.
Coly maintains top spot.
