Balgownie are now almost guaranteed a place in the top four, after ripping threw the Wollongong batsmen to bowl them out for 68 in reply to their title of 7-214 off their 50 overs.

At the same time, Helensburgh fell two runs short against Dapto, allowing Bally to take a stranglehold on fourth place.

"It all sort of fell into place for us," Balgownie captain Graeme Batty said.

"We hadn't played in a month because of washouts, so we were all pretty fresh and ready to rip in, knowing we needed to win to be playing finals."

Batty (25) and Rob Fisher (76) put on an opening partnership of 106, but Bally were on the verge of collapse at 7-133 when Michael Henderson (34 not out) and Jason Bunyan (53no) saved the innings.

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The duo put on 81 for the eight wicket, before Bunyan and Dean Watson turned turned destroyers with the ball.

"We were a bit surprised they bowled first, we thought the pitch would only get worse later on," Batty said.

"But Jason Bunyan really put us in a good position and then they made it happen with the new ball.

"It's a really satisfying win, but we know we've got the work ahead of us."

It came as Uni captain Rhys Voysey bowled Northern Districts' tailender Nathan Riley with the final ball of his 10 overs to share the points in a tie.

Uni had made hard work of posting a total, with Mitch Hearn making 78 as they finished 7-169.

In reply, the Butchers were on target at 2-116 before losing 5-3, then fighting back to almost snatch victory with a nervy 43-run final wicket stand.

Elsewhere, Mitch McRae was almost the hero with 96, as Helensburgh's finals hope were left in tatters when bowled out for 190 chasing Dapto's 8-192.

Wests edged out Corrimal with two wickets and seven balls to spare, while Keira beat Port Kembla.