The Crows thrashed a disappointing Sedgwick to remain a game clear on top of the table.

With Spring Gully playing the winless Axe Creek in the final round it would take a minor miracle for the Crows not to finish on top.

Saturday's win against Sedgwick was set up by the Crows' deep bowling attack.

Gully bowled Segdwick out for just 87 in 39 overs, with Jesse Marciano (3-19), Alex Sutton (2-8), Beauden Rinaldi (2-12) and Nick Skeen (2-12) all in form with the ball.

Sedgwick skipper Greg Thomas (29) was the only batsman to score more than 15.

In reply, the Crows needed just 20 overs to win the game.

Brannon Stanford (27), Lachlan Brook (24) and Marciano (21) batted with freedom in the run chase.

A career-high 173 from Tyrone Downie was the highlight of Emu Creek's 212-run win over Axe Creek.

Downie has batted at number four for most of the season, but he was promoted to opener against the bottom side and he took full advantage.

Downie smashed eight sixes and 19 fours in his 100-ball knock. There were still nine overs remaining in the innings when he was dismissed.

Emu Creek finished 7-326 off its 40 overs.

In reply, Axe Creek was dismissed for 114 off 32.3 overs.

Todd Brown and Daniel Chamberlain took three wickets each for Spring Gully, while Connor Bulger (30) and Nathan Nikolic (24) top-scored for Axe Creek.

Emu Creek needs to defeat fourth-placed United in next Saturday's final round to retain second place and earn a home semi-final.

Third-placed Mandurang dodged a bullet against Marong.

Chasing 158 for victory, Mandurang needed an unbroken 19-run stand for the ninth wicket from Jeremy Hancock and Justin Slater to sneak over the line by two wickets.

Number three Corey Dickins made a brisk 73 and Matt Giri made 30 as Mandurang only had two players reach double figures.

Spinners Alex Gorrie (4-14) and David Blume (3-25) almost spun the Panthers to victory.

Marong conceded 25 runs in wides which proved decisive in the end result.

Earlier in the day, Chris Dixon (69) hit eight fours and three sixes to lead the Panthers to 6-157.

James Bailey (3-16 off six overs) had a great day with the ball for Mandurang.

West Bendigo completed its season in successful style on the back of one of the best all-round performances of the season from Josh Eastley.

Eastley made 50 with the bat in the Redbacks' score of 8-210 and then ripped through the California Gully batting line-up and finished with figures of 6-23.

Eastley and Travis O'Connell (65 off 65 balls) added 97 for the fourth wicket in the Redbacks' strong total.

Cal Gully's cause wasn't helped by conceding 30 runs in wides.

The Cobras' batting was even worse than their wayward bowling.

One delivery into the fifth over the Cobras were 4-4 after Eastley and Tarren Kilcullen (1-16) decimated the top-order.

A mini-recovery didn't last long as Cal Gully lost its final six wickets for 23 to be all out for 69 in just 19.2 overs.

Ladder after 17 rounds: Spring Gully 144, Emu Creek 132, Mandurang 126, United 120, Marong 84, West Bendigo 72, California Gully 50, Sedgwick 54, Axe Creek 12.

Next week: Mandurang v California Gully, Sedgwick v Marong, Emu Creek v United, Axe Creek v Spring Gully.

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