The reigning premiers claimed a narrow first innings victory last weekend but were forced to defend the six points they had won.

The Combine went into the second day of play on Saturday with an outright win on their mind and they got off to a flying start.

Jamie Bach and Matt Heffer terrorised Buangor’s batsman with a strong display of fast bowling while John Parkin made the most of a spin friendly pitch. Parkin went on to finish with two wickets, while Bach claimed five in the second innings.

Heffer picked up three wickets to take his tally to 11 for the match.

The Combine required just 102 to win but neither side had been able to crack to 100 mark in the match going into the final innings.

Dale Hurley (30) and Tom Eckel (32) steered the Combine to victory with three wickets in hand. 

Another five-wicket haul from Buangor skipper Chris Jerram (11 for the match) was not enough to stop his side from losing two of their points they had won in the first innings. 

The result sees the Combine jump to the top of the A Grade ladder while Buangor will be nervous with two games remaining, sitting two points outside the top four. 

Swifts-Great Western captain Sam Cocks said it was an “amazing outcome” for his team to be able to reverse the result after their first innings loss. “We were a very happy bunch of blokes after the game,” he said.

“Jamie (Bach) intimidated them a bit and was able to rip through the middle order.”

Cocks said he was confident his side would be able to get a positive result.

“The pitch seemed to play a bit better than what it was last week so I had faith we could chase them down,” he said. “It just shows you have to switch on and play two days – the game is never over.”