Borton Cup leader Union lost its second game of the season by 17 runs to Albion in the eleventh round played on all-weather pitches because of inclement weather on Saturday.
Albion's win took it into second place 30 points behind Union, with three matches of qualifying to be played before the semi-finals.
Oamaru gained its fourth win of the season when it beat Waitaki Boys High School by 11 runs, while Valley is tied in fourth place with St Kevin's College after beating St Kevin's by six wickets.
Sent in to bat by Union, Albion batted through its 50 overs to be 186 for eight at the end of the innings. Marshall Smith (32) and Steve Halliwell (29) led the way, with Scott Guyton late in the game adding an unbeaten 23.
Bowling for Union, Isaac Shields was economical. After seven of his 10 overs he had taken one for seven and he finished with one for 22. Brad Fleming and Jason Todd picked up two wickets each.
Union looked to be heading for a winning total at 72 for three after 18 overs. But after the loss of Jeremiah Shields (35) and Duncan Drew (29) Union slumped to 102 for six after 31 overs. Only an eighth-wicket stand of 57, between Chris Ware (29) and Jason Todd, saw Union rally to 159 before the final wicket fell.
Ricky Whyte took three for 28 while Brad Kernahan and Paul Odell took two wickets each for Albion.
Oamaru won the toss and batted first against Waitaki Boys. Oamaru started brightly, with captain Anthony Sewell (32) taking the side to 42 for one after nine overs. Midway through the innings Oamaru was poised at 89 for five but Matt Murphy (45) and Scott Wilson (40) added 87 for the sixth wicket, taking Oamaru to 194 before the final wicket fell.
Sam Wicks was the leading bowler for Waitaki Boys, taking three for 37 off nine overs, while Stephan Groblar and Hayden Tisdall took two wickets each.
Waitaki Boys started brightly to be 51 for one after 10 overs but with the dismissals of Groblar (71) and Tisdall (20) the innings lost momentum, though George Upton made 30. However the total of 183 was 12 runs short of victory.
Murphy took three for 51, while Roly Senior, Ben Guild and Scott Wilson took two wickets each for Oamaru.
Valley sent St Kevin's in to bat first and only player-coach Tim McCormick (32) showed much resistance, as the side slithered to 77 for eight, before the 10th wicket went down at 81.
Andrew Fisher led the way for Valley, taking four for 15, while Matt Pile, Nick Kelland and Blair Malcolm took two wickets each.
Valley cruised to victory, needing only 25 overs to make the required runs for the loss of four wickets. Matt Pile was unbeaten on 33, while Brodie Flannery took two for 32 off his 10 overs.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Round 11
St Kevins 1st XI vs Valley Senior at St Kevins Artifical
St Kevins 1st XI 81 ( T.J. McCormick 32, A. Fisher 4-13, N. Kelland 2-7, B. Malcolm 2-20, M. Pile 2-27 )
Valley Senior 85-4 ( M. Pile 33no, B. Flannery 2-32 )
Valley by 6 wickets
Oamaru Senior vs Waitaki Boys 1st XI at Don Field Artifical
Oamaru Senior 194 ( M. Murphy 45, S. Wilson 40, A. Sewell 32, S. Wicks 3-42, S.F. Grobler 2-16, H. Tisdall 2-35 )
Waitaki Boys 1st XI 183 ( S.F. Grobler 71, G. Upton 30, H. Tisdal 20, M. Murphy 3-51, B. Guild 2-16, R. Senior 2-24 )
Oamaru by 11 runs
Albion Senior vs Union Senior at Awamoa Artifical
Albion Senior 186-8 ( M. Smith 32, S. Halliwell 29, S. Guyton 23, J. Todd 2-25, B. Fleming 2-36 )
Union Senior 169 ( J.H. Shields 35, C.J. Ware 29, D.J. Drew 24, R. Whyte 3-28, B. Kernahan 2-27, P.M. Odell 2-29 )
Albion by 17 runs