Meeting Sheffield in what could have been a do-or-die match for both clubs, the Knights looked in dire straits in their pursuit of 6-222.

Aiden Marshall (3-41) and Sam Robinson (2-39) ripped through the home side's top order and when Brodie Jarrad and the returning James Lee both departed for ducks, the Knights were 4-15.

Enter Nathan Philip.

After joining with captain Tom Waller (49) for a 125-run stand, the gun left-hander found another useful partner in Anders Bulow (24*) and powered to his first century of the season.

Philip ended the match with a six off the last ball of the 45^th over to finish with 120 off 104 balls.

The four-wicket loss marked Sheffield's fourth defeat in five games and killed off the Mountaineers' hope of a finals berth.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

The Shamrocks were also made to work hard against bottom side Wynyard before eking out a three-wicket victory.

Jono Chapman led the reigning premiers with both bat and ball, taking 4-11 in Wynyard's 143 all out before saving the day with a crucial knock from number seven.

Aided by Kieren Hume (10*), Chapman's 43 not out steered Westbury from a shaky 7-99 to pass the target in the 37^th over and wrap up top spot on the Greater Northern Cup ladder.

RIVERSIDE registered its first win in a month as all-rounder Patty Mackrell continued his unerring consistency with the bat.

Having made 59 not out in his previous two knocks, the former Bridgenorth NTFA coach top-scored with 60 in 189 all out before falling victim to Rohan Speglic (3-23).

Robert Eltringham, Tom Garwood and Matthew Owens all made handy scores of 20-plus and the Blues had just as many contributors with the ball.

Garwood, Ramesh Sundra, Tom Lewis and Sam Lockett each collected two wickets as the Black Caps were rolled for 152.

The result saw Riverside leapfrog Launceston on the Cricket North ladder while Ulverstone will meet either Westbury or South in a Greater Northern Cup semi-final in January.

Alistair Taylor's return to form wasn't enough to end LAUNCESTON'S run of defeats as Devonport got home with three balls to spare.

Batting at number three, the Lions' skipper posted 81 as part of a 102-run stand with teenager Ethan Conway (52), who scored his second half-century in as many weeks.

The Lions' eventual total of 8-213 looked an imposing target but Sam O'Mahony's run-a-ball 60 proved the Orions weren't intimidated.

With three wickets left heading into the final over the visitors held their nerve as Tyler Dell (78) and Josh Brown (5) saw the visitors home.

Earlier, Toby Bellchambers took 4-41 to be the pick of the Orions' bowlers.

LATROBE's good year continued as Tristan Weeks left Mowbray in a daze.

The Demons skipper took 4-15 from 10 overs to help dismiss the home side for 109 in 47 overs and was equally influential with the willow.

Opening the batting, Weeks compiled 77 not out from just 60 balls to end the match inside 20 overs with Sam Freeman and Blake Cassidy taking a scalp each.

The result ensured the Demons qualified for next month's 50-over finals.