Ross largely played a lone hand for the Panthers as he made 112 out of Marong’s tally of 196 in reply to the Cobras’ 153.

In what was the first century by a Marong player this season, Ross made the most of his elevation up the order to open the batting, striking 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Ross had begun the day on 53 as the Panthers resumed their chase at 0-68.

Ross’ previous century for the Panthers had been in round nine of the 2007-08 season – also against Golden Gully – when he made 113.

Behind Ross’ 112 the next best score for the Panthers was Andrew Gladstone’s 19.

The win was Marong’s third of the season – two of which have come against Golden Gully.

Cobras’ skipper Brad Webster added another four wickets to his season tally, picking up 4-54 off 15 overs.

His four-for keeps Webster at the top of the EVCA wicket-takers with 29.

The loss leaves the Cobras now staring at the likelihood of sliding from premiers to wooden-spooners in the space of 12 months.

• Maiden Gully is headed for the finals after its comprehensive win over West Bendigo.

The Gully’s score of 7-341 was never under threat as the Redbacks were bundled out for 138 to fall 201 runs short.

The Redbacks looked at one stage as if they may battle to get to triple figures having been 6-64.

Brett Haw (2-36), Dallas Gill (2-17) and Alex Gorrie (2-13) – who made a century on day one – each snared two wickets for Maiden Gully.

Joel Purdy (38) and Tom Floyd (26) were the only players to get past 20 for the Redbacks.

Maiden Gully was 3-66 off 19 overs in its second innings.

• Sedgwick’s batting depth was on display as the Rams overcame Mandurang to maintain their position at the top of the ladder.

Resuming at 4-39 in reply to Mandurang’s 93, the Rams lost an early wicket when the dismissal of Lachlan Horan (0) by James Pietromonaco left them 5-43.

However, their last five wickets combined to add another 191 runs as the Rams posted 234.

Simon Marwood (62) and Dustin Elliott (55) – who combined for 23 boundaries – both made their highest scores of the season as they guided the Rams to victory.

Veteran Scott McKenzie’s 42 was also his best score of the season.

The Rangas shared their 10 wickets between three bowlers – Jeremy Hancock (4-10), Adam Reaper (3-34) and Pietromonaco (3-81).

Mandurang was 5-109 in its second innings.

• United and Spring Gully played out a draw after rain affected their opening day the previous week.

Resuming at 7-173 the Crows batted on for a further 14.2 overs, adding 51 more runs to post 224, which included No.11 Liam Pilcher making a valuable 31.

James Smith (3-54) was the leading wicket-taker for the Tigers, who forced the draw by closing play at 8-142.

James Fox snared 3-38 for the Crows, while No.8 Andrew Duguid’s unbeaten 38 was the highest score for the Tigers.