Big O Blues ensured their co-tennants Burglars had no such bragging rights with an easy eight-wicket win at Albert Park on Saturday.

With players from both teams setting up camp together and enjoying an early start to the festive season, the mood was pretty relaxed under the shade of the trees, however it was game on out in the middle.

Taking first use of the wicket, Burglars posted a moderate total of 107, a total that could have been far greater had Scott Roberts not run out of partners.

Entering the fray with the score at 4-47 in the 15th over after number three Paul Smith had mad an impressive start with a quick-fire 27, Roberts was the last man dismissed for a typically aggressive 39.

Roberts’ competitiveness was evident as he outlasted six partners, the majority of who fell to Blues quick Dean Bradley who added 5-19 to his six-wicket haul from the previous week.

At 9-83, a three-figure total looked a remote possibility, however Roberts upped the ante at the death, including a measured clout off good mate Gerard Guthrie that cleared the fence.

Guthrie gained his revenge two balls later when Roberts holed out to Michael Ricketts, however the late runs at least gave the Burglars something to bowl at.

With Bradley again dominating the bowling figures, the remaining five wickets were shared between Guthrie, Ricketts, Chris Dawe, Jason Cronin and Zac Craw.

The Blues beefed up their top order with Dawe and Scott Meale sent out to open and, with the after-match festivities proving tempting for Dawe, he quickly ate into the required total.

In the middle for less than six overs, Dawe raced his way to 33, including a towering six off Roberts which hit high up the trees in the direction of the railway station.

However, like Guthrie earlier in the day, Roberts didn’t have to wait long for revenge, knocking over Dawe’s middle stump three balls later.

Meale was less aggressive, preferring to place the ball around the ground on his way to 16 before he feathered the first ball of Blake Guthrie’s opening over to Judd Kerrison behind the stumps.

The seasoned Darren Connell and Jason Cronin, one of several players the Big O club has blooded into senior cricket this season, then ensured the total would be reached without further loss, Connell adding 31 to his season tally, while Cronin batted with great poise to finish not out on 21.

Peter Guthrie, who opened the bowling with Roberts, gained some late movement with the ball and was unlucky to finish without a wicket.