Teetering on the brink of post-season elimination the premiers claimed first innings points declaring at 6-133, a one-run lead, after resuming at 1-68.

Despite losing partner Tom Stray (18), Rams' opener David King (60) joined with Ian Holland (34no) to help his side eclipse Prahran's total.

Gale wasted no time in declaring, giving his bowlers a chance at dismissing the visitors for a second below-par total.

The loss of two wickets, with Prahran in trouble at 2-4, paved the way for a home-side demolition, if not for Darren Dewar (66no), Steve De Bolfo (47) and Prahran skipper Neil Schlittler (41no off just 14 balls) to make the game interesting.

Declaring at 5-187, Schlittler left the Rams the unenviable task of chasing 187 off 26 overs for the win.

In reply, King wasted little time in posting a run-a-ball 48 alongside Stray's (56) off 49 balls faced.

Joe Loorham chimed in at the end of the innings with (45no) to get the Rams across the line with just two balls to spare.

Rams' skipper Matt Gale is proud of his team's effort in dismantling Prahran with bat and ball. "If we'd lost this one, it would have been really tough to make the finals. I suppose the boys played it as if it were their first final.

"Everyone stepped up and played really well. Since Ian broke through in the ones he's played some great roles. Joe is another one who's had a quieter year than he would have hoped for, but if it wasn't for him, we certainly would struggle in this one."

The win puts the Rams in third place and in good form to beat Essendon in the final home-and-away match of the season.