Ladder leader Lindenow South Glenaladale banked maximum points in round four of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association, eclipsing Paynesville outright at AJ Freeman Reserve.
The Bulls resumed at 3/92 in search of a meagre winning total of 116 and lost Scott Dare (43) early in the chase.
But an enterprising 87-run fifth wicket unison between Haydn Erfurth (63 from 61 balls) and Logan Dunkley (23) set the Bulls up for outright victory.
Erfurth was in ominous form, hitting seven boundaries and three maximums in another classy exhibition.
Scott Davidson (16 from 11) helped lift the run rate late as the Bulls declared at 6/203 from just 39 overs, a lead of 87.
Import Luke Bond was the pick of bowlers for Paynesville, working hard against the odds to finish with 2/99.
Paynesville needed to knock off a deficit of 88
before Lindenow South Glenaladale would be required to bat again and that was never likely.
The Gulls were quickly in trouble at 1-0, which became 6-3, things looking no better at 8/13.
Seth Smith (4/12) and Mel Irish (3/9) caused mayhem with new red ball.
Michael Wilmott dug in and at least put some value on his wicket making a gutsy 24 not out, with James Allen (10) the only other player to reach double figures.
The game finished just after the tea break, Paynesville making just 47 inside 21 overs.
Bulls captain Haydn Erfurth was pleased with the effort and to get the job done.
“We came here with a plan and we executed well, the opening bowlers hit the right spots and their batsmen got out to good balls,” Erfurth said.
The Bulls unbeaten after four rounds and clearly the side to beat, whilst the Gulls will need to go back to the drawing board, hopefully able to put a promising season back on track this week against a dangerous Meerlieu.
