ONE man stands between third-last side Altona North and the protected zone in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
Abhijeet Sharma, Spotswood's star import out of India, is hellbent on leading the Woodsmen to safety and leaving North in a danger of relegation.
The Woodsmen have floundered to be 6-83 off 28 overs.
But, the left-handed Sharma is offering stern resistance.
He went to stumps on 69 not out, while his teammates added a mere six runs in that time.
North is far from comfortable with the progress made by Sharma.
They, like the Woodsmen, had a nightmare innings with the bat as 16 wickets fell at Crofts Reserve on Saturday. North was bowled out for 113, their lead at stumps was just 30 runs.
North captain-coach Lee Elmore said: "I'd like to get Sharma out early on Saturday, but he's had a chancess inning to now and he's so strong square of the wicket."
It could be do or die for North and the Woodsmen, depending on how results fall in other last round matches.
Yarraville Club's batting power should get the No. 1 ranked club over the line against McKinnon.
The Clubbers were 0-4 in their chase for the 252 winning target.
Warren Kelly smashed an even century to give Williamstown CYMS a shot at victory over South Caulfield. Unfortunately, the CYs could muster only 165 in 47.5 overs and South Caulfield was 5-151 at the close of day one.
In the north A1, Footscray United is likely to lose out in the race for the minor premiership.
The Bulldogs were bowled out for 128 in the first-versus-second blockbuster at Ormond Park in Moonee Ponds and the Valleys underlined their flag favourites tag with 3-112 in reply at stumps.
Seddon put up 183 on the back of 60 runs to opener Yasitha Godakanda against St Albans at Hanmer Reserve.
The Saints were cruising at 1-87 when the umpires pulled up stumps.
In the north B1, Kingsville Baptists have a huge run chase to contend with after title fancy Jacana hammered 8-345 with skipper Janaka Siriwardana posting 190 not out.
■ Newport-Digman shared the love in the Williamstown and District Cricket Association A-turf, giving all 10 fielders the chance to have a bowl against Wyndhamvale away at Wyndhamvale Reserve.
It certainly did the trick for the Diggers with the Vales bowled out for 216 in 77 overs.
In other A-turf games, Laverton (3-46) is well on top against premiership favourites Grand United (108); the Hobsons Bay derby between Williamstown Colts (7-259) and Williamstown Imperials is evenly matched after day one; West Newport (1-136) already stitched up first innings points against Hoppers Club (102) and an interesting tussle is taking place between Gellibrand and Point Cook (249).
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