The Melbourne Renegades' highly credentialed top order has faltered again as the hosts set the Sydney Sixers 125 to win their BBL clash in Geelong.
Shaun Marsh (35 off 29 balls) and Jonathan Wells (28 off 30) were solid contributors but lacked support at the top, as the Renegades staggered to 7-124 on a tricky pitch.
The lowly total was well short of the average score of 157 batting first at GMHBA Stadium.
It came just two days after the Renegades were bowled out for 115 chasing 150 for victory against the same opponent in Sydney.
The Sixers' bowlers shared the wickets, with Chris Jordan (2-25), Hayden Kerr (2-25), Ben Dwarshuis (1-18), Jackson Bird (1-23) and Izharulhaq Naveed (1-31) all getting in on the action.
Wicketkeeper Josh Phillippe dropped a simple early chance when Martin Guptill (12) edged one behind off Bird but the Sixers' catching was otherwise superb.
Kerr, Jordan and Jordan Silk all claimed difficult diving catches in the outfield.
The Renegades managed just 1-14 from the opening powerplay and their run rate still sat well below six at the halfway point of the innings, when they were struggling at 3-53.
At that stage, Marsh had been the only batter to find the boundary.
He scored three fours and one of the Renegades' two sixes for the innings, with Aaron Finch (17 off 15) the only other batter to clear the rope.
