Fine Leg Byes ended BCB Academy’s unbeaten run as The Associates nosed ahead of Renegades at the top of the Evening Cricket League table by virtue of a superior net run rate.

Tuff Dogs, the defending champions, moved up to third after leapfrogging BCB’s youngsters, three points adrift of the unbeaten leading pair, who face each other at Shelly Bay on Tuesday.

Dave Horan was the architect of The Associates’ seven-wicket victory over De Wicketest.

Horan, who famously struck a six off the final ball of last season’s knockout final to deny Tuff Dogs a fourth successive title, took four for 22 and then hit an unbeaten 30 as Tom Edwards chipped in with 28 not out after the leaders had restricted De Wicketest to 92 for eight.

Fine Leg Byes, who had won only one of their previous four matches, put the brake on the Academy’s title hopes with a five-wicket victory engineered by opener Ricky Waldron’s unbeaten 49 and Daron Anglin’s three for 32.

Jamar Stovel was the Academy’s top scorer with 34 in their 109 for seven, Dominic Sabir later picking up three for 20 for the losers.

Tuff Dogs beat PHC by eight wickets but only squeezed home with a ball to spare after openers Azeem Khan made 48 and Curtis Jackson 34 to put them on the path to victory.

Earlier, Justin Robinson made an unbeaten 29 and Maurice Lowe 28 in PHC’s 117 for five. Bevin Carr was the pick of Tuff Dogs’ attack with three for 24.

CV Chargers earned their second win of the season by defeating High Flyaz by 21 runs, the Carr brothers Somers and Piers leading the way with 30 and 27 respectively in their side’s 130 for five. Gerald Simons made 41 as High Flyaz were held to 109 for four in reply.

CV Chargers, last season’s second-tier champions, are finding the going a “little bit harder” this year with 11 teams condensed into one division after St George’s, North Village and Bad Byes withdrew.

Said Somers, the captain: “We’ve been unfortunate in a couple of games. Don’t think our record reflects our strength and how we’ve played this season. Bit of bad luck!”

West XI moved into the top six, who are expected to qualify for the season-ending knockout, by beating bottom club KPMG by 50 runs after posting 128 for four.