Six teams have placed themselves in a strong position to play finals cricket – there is only one game separating top-of-the-table Rye (72 points) and sixth-placed Delacombe Park (60).

Hastings, which is a further game back on 48 points, is mathematically a chance to make it.

However, its spanking at the hands of Mt Eliza on Saturday is going to make things difficult.

At the other end of the table, Main Ridge now has some breathing space, picking up the 12 points in the battle for relegation with Pines.

The Piners resumed on Saturday at home on 0-29, chasing Main Ridge's modest 210 and was absolutely cruising at 0-100, openers Ashley Hupe (51) and Bruce Sutton (50) doing the job. However, six runs later, Main Ridge had removed both openers and the rest of the batting order folded like a deck of cards. Pines was all out for 182.

Jason Albress was superb for the winners. After top-scoring with 58, he then took the ball and turned the game with 5-59.

David Morris was also a solid performer for the Ridge with 3-33.

Hastings may miss out on the finals after being beaten by Mt Eliza.

Defending just 163, the Mounties' bowlers were able to produce the goods once again, Peneeth Goonawardena claiming 6-33 and Lyle House snaring 2-12.

Rye scored a monstrous 5-498 against Red Hill on Saturday.

Steven Gale clubbed 230 and Corey Harris blasted 168 to push Rye to the unbelievable total.

Gale hit 27 fours and one six in his total, and Harris belted 31 fours and nine sixes (a total 178 in boundaries).

Under the circumstances, Red Hill's Riley Shaw was fantastic with the ball, claiming 4-84 off 14 overs.

Seaford stormed into finals contention by belting Langwarrin.

After whipping through the Kangas for 210 last week, the Tigers cruised to 6-364, Nick Simpendorfer reaching an unbeaten 103. Chris Cleef made 69, Ryan McQueen 63 and Jimmy Boyd came in at No.8 and smacked 76 not out.

Boneo was unable to get the 338 for victory against Carrum, being all out for 239. Glen Collett batted well but ran out of partners, unbeaten on 82. Omar Ak with 4-73 and Daniel Graves with 3-41 were the best of the Carrum bowlers.

Delacombe Park blasted its way into calculations on Saturday with a top performance against Balnarring, chasing down the 239 needed for victory and finishing on 6-352.

Nick Christides was sensational for the Parkers with 152, and James Spencer hit 75 in his first senior game for the year. The loss saw Balnarring fall from second to fifth on the ladder.