Defending 160 against fourth-placed Mandurang, California Gully's bowlers had the side on the ropes at 5-72.

However, a 151-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Matt Pask and James Pietromonaco rescued Mandurang from a potentially sticky situation against the winless Gully.

Pask raced to his third century division one century, hitting 14 fours and five sixes in his 107 off 95 balls.

Pietromonaco was even more brutal. He clubbed seven sixes and four fours in making 67 off 51 balls.

Mandurang finished all out for 254 off 56.3 overs.

Opening bowler Brad Smith did all the early damage with the ball for California Gully and finished with figures of 4-48 off 15 overs.

Anil Jose was thrown the ball late in the innings and he took 3-35 off five overs.

For the second round in a row, United avoided outright defeat against a top-four opponent.

This time around the Tigers denied third-placed Emu Creek full points in their clash at J.G Edwards Oval.

Emu Creek resumed on Saturday at 5-168 - a first innings lead of 54 on the Tigers.

Emu Creek extended that lead to 124 before declaring at 9-238. Tyson Webster made 43 on Saturday, while United skipper Harry Whittle finished with 5-54 off 19 overs.

Batting a second time, United made a solid start to be 0-40 before three quick wickets put the pressure on their middle-order.

Xavier Walsh (73) and Dooley Niemann (58) ensured there'd be no outright result.

The Tigers were eventually dismissed late in the day for 216 - the club's highest total in a two-day game this season.

Anthony Collins took 5-85 for Emu Creek, while new-ball partner Luke Bennett claimed 4-59 to give him the fine match figures of 8-83.

As expected, West Bendigo couldn't chase down Spring Gully's imposing total of 9-371.

However, to the Redbacks' credit they batted out their full 75 overs and made the reigning premier work for the points.

Gary Singh top scored with 57, Darren De Marchi added 43 and four other players scored in the twenties as the Redbacks posted 8-216 off 75 overs.

The Crows used nine bowlers for the day, with six of them taking at leat one wicket.

Alex Sutton (2-18) had the pick of the figures.

Sedgwick consolidated top spot on the ladder going into the Christmas break by thrashing Marong at Malone Park.

Chasing down the Rams' score of 238 was always going to be a tough ask for the Panthers, but that assignment was made impossible when Quentin Bentley ripped through the top-order.

The Sedgwick opening bowler (4-20) claimed the first wickets of the day to leave Marong in tatters at 4-26.

That soon became 6-36 before Lee Thiele (22 not out) showed some resistance for the home side.

Sedgwick veteran Scott McKenzie (3-4) cleaned up the tail as Marong was dismissed for 70 in the 40th over.

The Rams decided not to enforce the follow-on and the match concluded early.

EVCA action resumes on Saturday, January 5, with three one-day matches.

Spring Gully hosts Sedgwick in a top-of-the-table clash, while Maiden Gully is at home to Emu Creek and United travels to Marong.

Mandurang, California Gully and West Bendigo have the bye.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.