After the competition broke for the long weekend, the Northam Tavern Twenty20 Cup resumed on Saturday afternoon.
Two games of local cricket completed Round 3.
Toodyay travelled to Bakers Hill Oval to battle Bakers Hill Gold. After winning the toss, Toodyay allowed Bakers Gold to bat first and soon questioned the wisdom of their decision.
The Bakers Gold opening batsmen put on 56 for the first wicket from just 8 overs before Brent Williams was dismissed for 25. This brought the dependable Steve Wainewright to the crease to build on the foundation.
The other opening batsman James Everett (53 not out) and Wainewright (56 not out) batted through the middle overs before retiring.
Their contribution lifted the Bakers Gold total to a formidable 2 for 167 from 20 overs.
Alyssa Farrall (1 wicket for 7 runs from 1 over) finished with the best bowling figures for Toodyay while Blade Brown (1 for 22 from 3) was the other wicket taker.
Toodyay were off to a fast start in their reply, taking 18 runs from the first two overs before losing two wickets in the third. They were reduced further to 4 for 32 in the fifth over and struggled to gather momentum.
Robert Lane (29 not out) offered some resistance and respectability to the score. He retired to give others an opportunity as the run chase slipped away.
Toodyay finished on 5 for 106 from their 20 overs. Jamie McPherson was the pick of the Bakers Gold bowlers with 3 for 14 from 3 overs.
The other game played over the weekend was a clash between Grass Valley and Ferals that was shifted to Bert Hawke 1 in Northam. Valley won the toss and predictably chose to bat. Both captains agreed it was the logical choice to make the best of the late afternoon light.
Rhys Byfield topscored for Valley, retiring on 50 not out. He was supported by cousin Kitt Byfield (34) as Valley reached 4 for 146 from 20 overs.
Max Smith (1 for 14 from 3) was the most efficient wicket taker amongst 11 bowlers used by Ferals.
The Ferals run chase was off to a solid start with an opening partnership worth 42 from the first seven overs. However the run rate required began to rise and wickets began to fall.
Although Troy Sims and Connor Sargeant continued their recent form, the target slipped out of reach and both retired to give everyone a go.
Ferals totalled 7 for 93 from their 20 overs with opening batsman Callum Norrish topscoring with 23. They were restricted by the Valley bowling performances of Lachlan Thompson (4 for 15 from 3) and Bailey O'Driscoll (2 for 8 from 3) in particular.
The results of the weekend sees Valley sit atop the ladder once again followed by the two Bakers sides. Toodyay, Ferals, and Balladong are jostling for the final spot in the top four.
Upcoming fixtures for Round 4 this Saturday March 14 has Grass Valley travel to Bakers Hill Oval to play Bakers Hill Green. Ferals host Bakers Hill Gold at Bert Hawke 1 in Northam. Toodyay clash with Balladong at the Toodyay Town Oval. All games are scheduled to begin at 3 pm.