MACARTHUR opened its T20 title defence against Grampians at PP3 on Thursday, winning by five wickets.

The Pumas won the toss and batted first, as Carl Joyce and Don Collins combined for a 53-run opening partnership before Collins held out to Ollie Wortley for nine to give Josh Belleville the first wicket.

Joyce (31) and Angus Heazlewood (37) did their best to power Grampians to a competitive score, with an unbeated 24 from Hayden Phillips pushing the total up to 8-145.

Brayden Buchanan finished with four wickets for the Demons.

Wortley joined Michael Brilley at the crease after Harry Turnham failed to trouble the scorers, as the pair put on 85 runs, before Brilley was dismissed for 26, as Wortley’s 71 pushed the Demons to victory, reaching the target with five wickets in hand and more than five overs left to bowl.

Pigeon Ponds got the better of Casterton District, winning by four wickets at home.

The Maroons batted first after winning the toss and only Justin Carlin (20), Sully Gibbs (26) and Kaden Humphries (17) reached double figures, with the team all out for 101 with an over to spare.

Lachlan Craig finished with 4-20 from his four overs.

Ponds’ top three combined for just seven runs, but it was an unbeaten 44 from Ben Hanrahan which ensured the home side reached the target with a little more than three overs to play.

Hamilton’s batting woes continued, going down to College by 67 runs at Kennedy Oval West.

The Eagles batted first and Charles Murrie got the Eagles off to a fast start with 37 from 33 balls, with Jonathan Jenkin (38) and Harry Austin (32) guiding the side to 5-123 after 20 overs.

Hamilton’s innings got off to the worst possible start, with four of the top six failing to get off the mark, with Xavier Stevens’ 33 the clear standout, as Hamilton was bowled out for 56 in the 15th over.

Austin was the chief destroyer with five wickets.

St Andrew’s and Tahara played out the closest contest, with the Drews winning on the last ball at PP1.

The Blue Caps batted first after winning the toss and Brad Gauci (29), Marucs Rhook (18), and Kieran Barker (27) all got starts but failed to go big, as Tahara posted 8-134 from its 20 overs.

The Drews’ innings was anchored by Brendan Huf, with the opener posting 43 from 45 balls, before an unbeaten 35 from Darryl Fry ensured the side reached the target, requiring one run from the final ball of the game, with the left-hander scoring three to see the team progress to the semi-finals.