With one afternoon of the regular season remaining, Norwood will need to make its biggest score of the season to keep a slim shot at the final four alive.

Up against top team Mooroolbark, Andrew Downes (4-50) served Norwood well with the ball, but it wasn't enough to prevent Adam Houghton (119 not out) and Mark Ross (41) steering the Barkers to 8-233.

Croydon North could also be in a little bit of trouble after Wonga Park stepped up with an impressive 9-264. Ryan Toohey collected 5-75 with the ball, while Ryan Coutts (34) and Andrew Hood (39) were the best of an even batting line-up.

An in-form South Croydon turned heads again, this time smashing Croydon Ranges to all corners to post a competitive 8-332.

Phil Cross (124) and Ross Stewart (97) dominated with a 200-run opening partnership, while Travis Degenhardt chipped in with a handy 54, before Chris Whittaker (4-65) slowed things down with a late haul of wickets.

Needing to win against a finals-bound Templeton, Bayswater Park has kept its finals dream alive by dismissing the Taipans for 219.

At one stage Templeton looked set for a handy total when a third-wicket partnership of 94 between Stuart Welsh (92) and Jason Disney got the innings back on track.

However, Marcus Adams (4-52) slowed things up. When Templeton's final six wickets crumbled for just 40 runs, the tide started to turn. Bayswater Park will resume this week at 0-19.

In other games, Warranwood's good late-season form continued with an impressive bowling effort against North Ringwood (9-151), while South Warrandyte's total of 204 will be enough against Wantirna South after the Devils folded at the crease in reply to be 6-80 at stumps and seemingly out of the contest.