McLaughlin’s strong innings all but propped up his side's run count, the home side all out for 99 from 34 overs.
Ultimately it was a total the team couldn't defend, the Royals’ batsmen firing to finish with 2-102 from 21 overs to claim the match.
An even spread of runs from Kilmore’s batting order, spearheaded by Pavi Singh (48 not out) gifted Kilmore victory over Avenel.
With home ground advantage, Avenel won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 6-131 from 45 overs.
But not to be outdone, Kilmore raced through their chase, finishing with 5-136 from just 34 overs.
James Hibbens led a tight bowling attack for Broadford in its win against Yea Tigers on Saturday.
Hibbens recorded 4-3 from his nine overs, including six maidens, to hold the Tigers to 55 for the innings.
Broadford then followed it up with the bat, scoring 58 runs in only 10 overs to wrap up the match.
A strong session with the bat from Gavin Thomson led Pyalong to a round four victory over Tallarook on the Rooks’ home soil.
With Pyalong chasing a total of 126, Thomson and his teammates easily took home the win in 24 overs, losing only four wickets in the process.
The contest between Alexandra and Eastern Hill was the only match to be abandoned in B-grade on Saturday, resulting in a draw for both teams.
Alexandra posted a competitive 8-160 in their first innings, with opening batsman Shane Parker the star with his 76 not out.
Heading in to bat, Eastern Hill struggled to keep up with the strike rate early, scoring 1-58 from 26 overs.
The Eagles were still in a comfortable position to attack though, with nine wickets in hand before the match was called.
● Broadford Black were too good for Puckapunyal Wanderers in its round four C-grade clash, clearing their rivals by seven wickets.
Broadford dismissed the Wanderers for 104, led superbly in attack by Harrison Zanko (4-18), before Jake Hall starred with the bat, scoring 65 runs.
A trio of Pyalong bowlers led the way in its win over Avenel, with Jason Ryan, Mark Zoch and Michael Edwards claiming three scalps apiece.
Edwards produced a stunning spell with the ball, finishing with 3-0 from two overs.
The attack meant Avenel fell 72 runs short of Pyalong's total of 157.
A mid-order partnership from Seymour’s Michael Woldhuis (59 not out) and Cody Hogan (29 not out) steered the Maroons to victory over Alexandra.
With two overs remaining, Woldhuis and Hogan scored the winning runs, passing Alexandra’s opening innings total of 151.
Rounding out the weekend, a strong bowling spell from the Royals caused ripples through Eastern Hill’s batting order, while Broadford Red were too strong for Puckapunyal Nomads.
