In the second last round before finals, third-placed Numurkah was pushed to the limit by sixth-placed Northerners in A-grade action, before prevailing by 19 runs.
Batting first, Numurkah posted 4-120, thanks to Alex Robertson's quick-fire 31 off 25 deliveries, which featured four fours.
Robertson was supported by Nash Siermans, who scored 15 off as many balls, and Chase Rodda, who scored 12.
For Northerners, Oscar Buckland (1-13), Jimmy Blekic (1-8), Nathaniel Timson (1-3) and Charlie Matheson (1-10) chipped in with a wicket.
When it came time to bat, Northerners put a scare through the Numurkah camp, but fell short, posting 4-101.
Wicket-takers, Buckland and Timson gave the underdogs a chance posting 35 and 30 respectively, with Timson scoring the only maximum of the match.
The pick of the Numurkah bowlers was Kyren Dawson, who finished with figures of 1-9 off three.
The other three wickets taken were run-outs.
In the other matches, Old Students lost to Notre Dame-St Brendan's, with the combined outfit not losing a wicket as it posted 109 runs in response to 5-83 from Old Students.
Tatura recorded a 70-run win as its score of 9-143 was too much for Mooroopna, which finished on 9-73, and Nagambie routed Shepparton United for 23 from 14 overs before finishing on 7-72 itself.
Flynn O'Brien led the Nagambie attack, with figures of 3-0 off two overs.
● In under-12 B-grade action, both teams representing Old Students went down in their respective match-ups.
Old Students White could only make 15-89 in pursuit of 6-122 that was set by Karramomus Gold, while Old Students Blue made 11-83 in response to Pine Lodge's 3-129.
Karramomus Red wasn't as fortunate as it set Katandra 87 for victory after tallying 12-86.
Katandra won easily as it batted out its 20 overs for 5-146.
Karramomus White also lost against Notre Dame-St Brendan's Black in a match between second and third.
The combined side made 14-146 in reply to White's 13-124 to close the gap on the top two.
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