ST Bernards' attempts to advance up the table and away from relegation danger will hang on its batsmen this weekend after an even spread of wicket takers did the job against Beaumaris.
The Snowdogs, 10th at the start of the weekend, held the home team to 9-218 off the full 80 overs at Banksia Reserve in Beaumaris on Saturday.
Luke Davis (3-41) and Nicholas Serrano (2-27) were the only multiple wicket takers for St Bernards as five different bowlers claimed wickets and the team sent down 21 maidens for the day.
Division rival Airport West-St Christophers will have to perform with the ball after making 183 off 79.1 overs batting first against Yarraville Club.
In North division, Doutta Stars' Chris Stafford had an afternoon to remember as his 6-22 led a comeback against Footscray United.
The home team at Buckley Park got just one wicket out of its four first-choice bowlers, only for Stafford to dominate the Footscray United batsman as fourth change.
The visitors posted 246 before Doutta Stars survived one over 0-0 before stumps.
Division rival Strathmore bowled out Youlden Parkville for 190 before reaching 0-24 in reply at stumps.
Craig Dunlop (3-29) and Robert Hrvatin (3-20) led the Strathmore bowling.
At Keilor, the home team's late declaration worked as Old Essendon Grammarians lost a late wicket.
Keilor made 6-279 off 75 overs before declaring to bowl five at OEG, leaving the visitors 1-3 at stumps.
In North A1, the Aberfeldie battle is already looking like a mismatch after day one with Aberfeldie claiming first-innings points with eight wickets in hand against Aberfeldie Park.
Ravindra Karunaratne (3-23) and Andrew Shanahan (3-28) did the damage as the Two Blues bowled out the Bears for 85 in 51 overs.
Aberfeldie then reached 2-94 off 29 overs in reply, with Kieren Gray to resume on 33 not out this weekend.
An upset is brewing in the other all-Moonee Valley derby at Overland Reserve, with relegation-threatened Flemington capturing three late East Keilor wickets.
Flemington was bowled out for 158 batting first but took 3-22 in the 13 overs before stumps to leave East Keilor with a tricky chase this weekend.
In Twenty20, the business end of the tournament continues tonight with qualifying finals in the north.
Greenvale eliminated Old Essendon Grammarians last week to set up a 5pm clash at Etzel Street Reserve today against Airport West-St Christophers.
Greenvale was rolled for 91 in the 16th over last week, only to bounce back and bowl out OEG for 81.
Sunshine United plays Keilor Park at Selwyn Park in tonight's other qualifying final.
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