Renegades defeated The Associates by 19 runs in a top-of-the-table Evening Cricket League clash at Shelly Bay, but Tuff Dogs and BCB Academy stayed right on their heels with seven-wicket victories of their own.

Having chosen to field first, The Associates were quickly on the back foot as Renegades — now the only unbeaten team — raced to 77 for two after seven overs, with Matthew Spencer and Ian Esteruysen each making 25 and Durnferd Davis later chipping in with an unbeaten 24.

Second-change Tom Edwards and fourth-change Dave Horan halted the run gallop with three for 23 and three for 13 respectively before Renegades closed on 135 for eight from their 16 overs.

In reply, The Associates started strongly, opener Gary Knight making 20 and number four Will Tyrell 26, but were pegged back by three run-outs and subsided to 116 for nine as Ryan Mather snapped up four for 14.

Greg Garside, a member of the winning side, who lead their trio of pursuers by three points, admitted being top with four games remaining was “a bit unexpected, but we have been playing well”.

He added: “Also, we still have to play Tuff Dogs and BCB Academy, so things could change.”

Dominic Sabir smashed seven sixes and a four in his 38-ball 63 not out and also took two wickets as BCB Academy romped to victory over PHC with nine balls to spare.

Opener Charles Symonds made 31 and George O’Brien 25 in PHC’s 106 for seven with Jamar Stovel picking up two for 17 and Sabir two for 25.

Tuff Dogs restricted CV Chargers to 105 for six before opener Tim Davies stroked an unbeaten 51 and Justin Barritt 30 to guide the defending champions to victory with nine balls to spare.

Earlier, Fergus Morrison made 31, Phil Froncioni 24 not out and Somers Carr, the captain, 23 for the Chargers, Carr later taking two for 27.

In last week’s other completed match, KPMG’s game against Fine Leg Byes having fallen foul of the weather, De Wicketest defeated High Flyaz by 16 runs.

Bowled out for 102, De Wicketest — led by opener Justin Brooks’s 51 — then held High Flyaz to 86 for eight in reply, Shawn Loving picking up three for 11 and Logan Phillips two for 23.

Courtney Trott claimed three 12, Ashley Castellino three for 22 and Niel Thakur two for eight for High Flyaz, but both sides remain outside the top six, who will qualify for the season-ending knockout cup currently held by The Associates.