Kealba-Green Gully remains hot on the heels of the NWMCA Luscombe Shield top four after a solid 40-run first innings win over gutsy bottom side Northern Lions at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday.
The Cougars have closed to within six points of fourth spot, and get a chance to face the fourth-placed Burnside Springs United in a one-day game at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Set 161 for victory, Kealba-Green Gully comfortably passed the target five down, but in their haste for quick runs to bring an outright result to the equation, lost four more wickets en route to declaration at 9-200.
The Lions snuffed out any hope Kealba-Green Gully had of an outright win, batting out the day to finish on 8-112.
Matt Nadzielski produced his best bowling figures of the summer, with 3-32 off 18 overs, to finish with five wickets for the match for Kealba-Green Gully.
Jarrod Catania took two wickets in each innings.
Burnside Springs United faced a massive run chase after Buckley Park amassed 6-346. United took on the challenge with vigour, but fell short to be all out for 278.
While Anthony Fawcus (68) and Daniel Kosinski (71) were at the crease, United looked as though an upset of the ladder leading side was on the cards.
Once their 137-run partnership was broken, it was always going to be an uphill battle for United.
Tim Grech chimed in with 32 not out, while skipper Jarryd Lindsay made 25, but the target remained out of reach of United, which tumbled to fourth.
