Two runs off the bat of tailender Quinton Bentley on the third-last ball of the match clinched Emu Valley a two-wicket victory at Windridge Oval in Rochester.

"It's nice to be on the right side of a close game,'' EVCA captain Rick Ladson said in reference to his side's string of narrow losses in previous seasons.

"It's good for the moral of the group going into tomorrow, knowing that we were challenged and we came through with the goods."

Emu Valley were in control of the match for much of the day.

It restricted Northern Districts to 192 on the back of consistent bowling and good fielding. Openers Tyler Jones (36) and Josh Novoselek (30) were best with the bat for Northern Districts.

Greg Thomas took 3-33 off 12 overs, Jeremy Hancock claimed 3-25 and Tom Wilson 2-43.

Matt Dwyer then put the EVCA on track for victory with a quickfire 82 off 76 balls, including eight fours and five sixes.

Dwyer's departure with the score on 121 sparked an EVCA collapse of 3-7.

Ladson (16) and Thomas steadied the ship before another collapse saw the EVCA fall from 4-157 to 8-190.

Thomas (41 not out) and Bentley (two not out) stayed calm and saw the EVCA over the line.

James Keath (2-30) was the most successful bowler for Northern Districts.

Reigning premier Goulburn Murray suffered a 16-run loss to Murray Valley at Rochester.

Murray Valley's total of 7-228 proved too much for Goulburn Murray (212).

Murray Valley opening batsman Liam Evans (71 off 92 balls) was the only player to post a half-century for the match.

Zeniffe Fowler (41) and Ash Quinn (42 not out) played crucial knocks for their side.

Spinner Alister McCann (2-29 off 10) bowled tightly for Goulburn Murray.

English import Jordan Garrett (33) got Goulburn Murray off to a good start, but the reigning champs kept losing wickets just when it looked like they were gaining momentum.

Shannon Bish (41) and Alister McCann (36) batted with good intent, but it wasn't enough to get their side over the line.

Jesse Trower took 3-36 for MV, while Quinn rounded out a good game by taking 2-41.

Gisborne was impressive in winning its opening division one match against Castlemaine at Camp Reserve.

Keeper Craig Ballinger set up the win with a fine 84 off 101 balls in Gisborne's total of 9-256 off 50 overs. Ben Way (38) and Nathan Dantonio (34) also shoed some form with the willow.

Glen Meredith and John Watson took three wickets each for Castlemaine.

In reply, opener Brian Brasher was the only Castlemaine batsman to show some resistance.

He fell two runs short of what would have been deserved century when he was run out for 98.

The home side was bowled out for 172, with Darcy Nolan taking 3-20 for Gisborne and Dantonio 3-23.