Powerhouse states New South Wales and Western Australia sit undefeated atop the National Indigenous Cricket Championships men's table after three rounds of competition.
The Championships are being held at Mackay's Great Barrier Reef Arena and Harrup Park this week after relocating from their traditional home of Mparntwe/Alice Springs last season.
Western Australia, led by the return of former International D'Arcy Short, made light work of South Australia on Tuesday morning before overcoming a Victoria in a tighter contest that afternoon.
Short was typically damaging in Western Australia's pursuit of South Australia's 7-117, striking 10 boundaries — six 4s and four 6s — to see his side home inside 10 overs.
The 35-year-old left hander was supported by Kalgoorlie run machine Bevan Bennell (39* from 22), and the returning Dane Ugle (20* from 14).
Wickets were shared by five Western Australian bowlers earlier in the match, with Ugle —a member of WA's drought-breaking 2015 Imparja Cup winning side — was the pick of the attack with 2-16 (4).
South Australian opener Tyree Burgoyne (38 from 48), and veteran Ayden McGregor-Baptista (34 from 23) were SA's best with the bat.
Later in the day, WA — on the back of 2024 Player of the Tournament, Brock Larance — defeated Victoria in the final over of the match.
The all-rounder ended unbeaten on 38* (32) to see WA chase down Victoria's 5-141 with three balls remaining.
Contributions also came from WA openers Bennell (37 from 33) and Short (26 from 13), with Jarryd Cameron (2-36) picking up multiple wickets for Victoria.
Victoria's competitive score was set up through even contributions from allrounder Wade King (37 from 27), former Australian Indigenous representative Damon Egan (32 from 23) and McKinnon's Josh Nanson (30 from 31).
For the second consecutive march Ugle (2-24) was the pick of WA's attack.
Ever-competitive New South Wales began their NICC campaign successfully with a dominant victory over the Northern Territory.
Let by former Australian Indigenous XI representative Brynley Richards (50 from 39) NSW posted an imposing 8-175 at Harrup Park.
Openers Richards and veteran Pat Rosser (27 from 17) — two of five NSW batters to reach double figures — set up NSW's innings with a 53-run opening stand.
In response, the Northern Territory capitulated to be bowled out for 80 inside 15 overs.
Six NSW bowlers were in the wickets with Luca Croft (3-7) Riley Keen (2-13) and Kealen Blattner (2-5) each taking multiple dismissals. Middle order batter Kael Newcombe top scored for the NT with 16 (23).
NSW backed up their victory over the NT with an equally dominant performance against South Australia on Tuesday afternoon.
An undefeated half-century from Ethan Fitzpatrick (51* from 41), lead NSW to 7-193.
Fitzpatrick was one of seven NSW batters to reach double figures, with Callan McKiernan (28 from 15), Richards (26 from 19) and Riley Keen (26* fro 10) also in the runs.
Jacob Langdon was a shining light in SA's attack, finishing with commendable figures of 3-29 (4).
In response SA could only manage 9-73 from 12.5 overs.
Croft (3-20) and Kaine Balgowan (3-21) did the damage with the ball for NSW, while McGregor-Baptista (15 from 8) top scored for SA.
In other matches on Tuesday morning Tasmania defeated Victoria by 29 runs, whi tournament newcomers Papua New Guinea defeated Queensland by 8 wickets.
On Tuesday afternoon PNG accounted for Tasmania by 111 runs and Queensland kept the NT winless, the hosts victors by 14 runs.
Thursday's morning fixtures include Queensland v Tasmania, South Australia v Papua New Guinea, the Northern Territory v Victoria and New South Wales v Western Australia.
Later in the day the tournament will see Western Australia v Tasmania, the Northern Territory v Papua New Guinea, Queensland v South Australia and New South Wales v Victoria.
