Set a modest 96 for victory, the visitors slumped to 5-58 before Liam Tobin (22) and John Purtell (12) put on a 35-run partnership to sneak home.

It was a crucial win for fifth-placed Eskdale as it attempts to stay ahead of Kiewa and Howlong on the ladder.

Howlong coach Ryan Withers said the bowlers were on top throughout the day.

"Both sides bowled really well," Withers said.

"They bowled wicket to wicket and didn't give us anything and our guys did a good job too.

"It would have been interesting if we had made another 30 or 40 runs.

"We got ourselves back in the game but just couldn't get that one or two more wickets."

Eskdale's Rory Tobin was the destroyer with 4-9 while Jamie Baude took 3-14 on a good batting wicket.

Howlong opener Jack Stockdale played a lone hand with 41.

Dederang sounded a warning by defeating Yackandandah by 26 runs.

The evergreen Andrew Creamer was the hero with 61 in the lowscoring match while Jesse Marcuzzi bowled well to capture 2-10 off six overs.

Roo Cameron Evans made 43.

Baranduda defeated Kiewa on the back of Vince Moran's half-century.

Corowa proved too strong for Barnawartha-Chiltern with Jarred Lane, Matt Grantham and Jordan Eyers in the runs.