Wangaratta stamped itself as a genuine premiership contender by edging out Gisborne by one run in a thriller at Canterbury Park.

After posting 6-179 off 50 overs, Wangaratta appeared to have the game in control when Gisborne fell to 8-114.

Gisborne tailender Cameron Clayton changed the momentum of the game by smashing 36 off 18 balls.

Last pair Monte McCague and Darcy Nolan took the score from 9-143 to within sight of victory, but they fell one run short.

Gisborne's Adam Dudderidge (52) made his second half-century of the week.

Earlier in the day, Matt Casey made 58 for Wangaratta, while Andrew Squires played a crucial knock of 47 not out off just 40 balls.

Murray Valley was made to work hard for victory over Emu Valley at Wade Street.

After being sent into bat, Emu Valley made a competitive 5-178 off 50 overs.

Greg Thomas (54 off 119 balls) and Trevor Pickthall (49 off 69 balls) helped Emu Valley to 2-107 after 40 overs.

Emu Valley scored 71 off their final 10 overs, with Rick Ladson making 32 not out off 28 balls.

Riley Gow (3-43) was the leading wicket-taker for Murray Valley.

Murray Valley opener Wian Van Zyl threatened to take the game away from Emu Valley quickly.

He raced to his second half-century in as many days, but when he fell for 57 off 56 balls Emu Valley pounced.

Murray Valley lost 4-21 to slip to 5-115 and Emu Valley could sniff an upset win.

Andrew Hogan saved the day for Murray Valley with a fine unbeaten 49.

Murray Valley finished 7-183 when stumps were drawn with a couple of overs still to play.

Goulburn Murray's batsmen had a day out against Castlemaine.

Goulburn Murray had six players score more than 30 in a team total of 312.

Josh Wood (54), Vibhor Yadav (52), Dale Shaw (47), Matthew Hinks (38), Dylan Cuttriss (35) and Matt Hindson (34) all made good use of the batsmen-friendly conditions at Bell Oval.

Clinton Aldridge (3-46) was the pick of the Castlemaine bowlers.

Castlemaine batted first and was dismissed for just 154.

Brett Cole made 57 not out for Castlemaine, while Dale Shaw (3-18) cleaned up the tail for Goulburn Murray.

Colac and Grassmere are in the box seat to qualify for the division two crown.

Colac was most impressive in defeating Portland at White Hills.

At 2-106 it looked as though Portland would set Colac a total of 200-plus.

However, the dimissals of Nick Wills (40) and Daniel Kinghorn (29) changed the game.

Portland lost 8-44, with Colac's Ben Vicary producing a fine spell of 4-12 off nine overs.

Kade Parker made a brilliant 82 off 102 balls to ensure Colac had few troubles in reeling in the total.

Dylan Slater was 38 not out as Colac finished 3-157 before pulling stumps with 11 overs remaining.

Grassmere joined Colac with a 2-0 record on the back of its big win over Grampians.

Grassmere's Brayden Buchanan (4-16) ripped through the Grampians middle-order.

Grampians faced 36 overs for a score of 97 before Grassmere responded with six declared for 270.

Stephen Blacker made 78 and  Pat Mahony 55 as every Grassmere batsman reached double figures.

Grampians' Lachlan Oddie continued his good form with the ball by taking 3-24. Grampians belted 2-96 off 10 overs in its second innings. Sam Cocks made 56.

Northern Districts opened its account with a 41-run win over Red Cliffs.

Mark East (39) and Conor Schultz (30) were the best with the bat in Red Cliffs' total of 155.

James Keath (3-28) bowled tightly for Northern Districts.

In reply, Warren Lolicato (34 off 51 balls) put Northern Districts on top before youngster Blake Gelletly (28) and keeper Liam Jardine 926) put the finishing touches on the victory.

Alex Morrish (3-34) and Ben Mole (3-41) both took three wickets for Red Cliffs. Northern Districts eventually made 196.

Northern United made a statement in its first game of the carnival.

After having the bye on day one, Northern United scored a percetage boosting win over Upper Loddon on day two.

Skipper James Harney his four sixes on his way to a top score of 49 in Northern United's innings of 174.

Cameron Dale took 2-24 for Upper Loddon.

The Northern United bowlers made light work of the Upper Loddon batting line-up.

Medium-pacer Tyler Oliver claimed 3-4 as Upper Loddon collapsed to be all out for 79 in 33 overs.

Northern United then raced to 5-100 in just 15 overs in its second innings.

Harney hist six fours and one six to be unbeaten on 42, while Jake Wright made 34.

Wimmera-Mallee was just as impressive in disposing of Grassmere.

In an even batting performance, Wimmera-Mallee made 8-184 off 50 overs. Tom Trewin (37) and Jake Leith (32) batted well.

Six bowlers claimed wickets for Wimmera-Mallee in Grassmere's innings 122.

Matthew Boyle made a brisk 38 for Grassmere.

Wimmera-Mallee took advantage of the opportunity to have a second dig, adding 3-43 off seven overs.

Maryborough had the bye.

Division one - Castlemaine v Murray Valley at Wesley Hill, Wangaratta v Emu Valley at Bell Oval, Goulburn Murray v Gisborne at Harry Trott Oval.

Division two - Colac v Grampians at Weeroona Oval, Northern Districts v Portland at North Bendigo, Red Cliffs v Grassmere at Canterbury Park.

Division three - Grassmere v Upper Loddon at Strathfieldsaye, Maryborough v Northern United at Dower Park.

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