THERE are moments in any sporting season that can define a team's destiny in their quest to play finals.
For the teams in the YVCA's premier competition, DJ Strachan Shield, the results from round 12 have left an intriguing situation as four teams clamour for three finals positions over the final two rounds.
Hoddles Creek put a big spanner in Coldstream's title defence as they dismissed the Crocs for 165, 31 runs short of the Wombats' total.
Experienced Crocs pair Liam Doughty (30) and Danny Adams (23) showed some resistance, but not nearly enough to lead their side to victory.
With consecutive losses, Coldstream faces a tough run home to clinch a finals berth.
Warburton-Millgrove made a fair fist of their chase of Mt Evelyn's imposing total of 280. The Burras were led by experienced pair Scott Darwall (63) and Mick Walker (56) and had themselves well placed to have a red hot go at the Rovers total at tea, sitting at 3-108.
However, with the fall of Darwall quickly after tea and the inexplicable run out of Walker, the home team stumbled and they were unable to muster enough runs from the tail despite some lusty hitting and fell 66 runs short of Mt Evelyn's total.
Rovers captain Kane Jones completed a dream game complementing his century with hard-working figures of 6-48.
The fast-improving Mt Evelyn has joined the Burras and Crocs on the ladder and face association leaders Seville in another tough test in their quest to pinch a top four position.
Seville made tough work of disposing of Healesville in their Round 12 clash. Sitting at 5-73 overnight, in pursuit of Healesville's poor total of 87, the Blues were only able to muster a total of 124.
Woori Yallock defended its total of 223 against a spirited Yarra Junction in a game of pride as the Eagles were bowled out for 195.
DJ Strachan Shield
Woori Yallock 223 defeated Yarra Junction 195 (C Spaulding 44, M Kocher 37, S Young 5-46, J Wright 2-15); Mt Evelyn 280 (K Jones 121, S Kogelman 44, T Hancock 41, M Walker 4-74, L Darwall 3-42) defeated Warburton-Millgrove 214 (S Darwall 63, M Walker 56, K Jones 6-48, B Jones 3-63); Seville 124 (G Frankovic 36 S James 3-9 A Harrison 3-38) defeated Healesville 87 (M Tilney 6-45); Hoddles Creek 196 defeated Coldstream 165 (L Doughty 30 D Adams 23 D Chesney 6-45 N Bark 2-26).