Saturday's GMC action set up thrilling finale

At the end of the game, Pearse would still be there, batting just shy of five hours across two days to finish 135 not out off 240 balls.

While his teammates tried to provide support, and despite strong bowling from Rochester's Dylan Cuttriss with 4/51, Pearse took his side to the verge of victory.

In the end, time was against BLU, who finished their 80 overs 9/233, nine short of their 242 run target.

The result moved Rochester within half a game of fourth placed Cooma with Sunday's matches to be played.

●COOMA'S battle to stay in the top four took a hit of its own, as Kyabram Fire Brigade opener Daniel Kent blasted his second century of the season, dismissed for 128.

Kent's performance took him to 470 runs on the year at an average of 47.

It was the pillar of the Flames innings which ended in the 75th over, with Fire Brigade all out for 301.

Brad Power (3/11) and Liam Thorne (3/60) tried to keep their side in the match, but the Flames easily passed Cooma by 100 runs, handing the fourth place side defeat.

It all but secured a home final for Kyabram, while Cooma was left in a nervous position as they awaited Sunday's clash with third placed Tongala.

●TONGALA locked up their top four position with an easy win against Echuca.

Starting the day trailing by just 29 runs, Tongala would not stay at the crease for long.

A strong half century from Darin Ohlsen as part of a 66-run partnership with Joshua Thurston saw the Blues to 4/145 at the 56 over mark.

Ohlsen's dismissal also brought with it the end of the innings, With Tongala declaring 46 runs in front and going for a second innings victory.

However, Echuca's Curtis Townrow ruled the possibility out with the bat.

Townrow hit 13 boundaries en route to a game-high 76 as Echuca held off the charge, finishing 4/111 off 42 overs to avoid an outright loss.

The win was enough for Tongala to lock down a finals spot, while also keeping the door open for a home final depending on Sunday's results.

●MOAMA came close to locking up top spot on Saturday in their clash with Echuca South.

Already 107 runs towards South's 111 when play resumed, the Magpies added 25 to open up the second days play.

Jordan McGregor top scored for the men in black and white with 44, with his side declaring at 7/232.

South struggled at stages of their second innings, losing six wickets before the end of the days play.

But a score of 45 not out from Mitchell Stephens held the side together, causing the match to end with just first innings points allocated.

●Check Wednesday's Riverine Herald for the outcome of Sunday's final matches.