With the leaders sitting out the bye, the second-placed Shamrocks gave them plenty to think about on the opposite side of the NTCA Ground grandstand.

Resuming at 5-62, chasing Westbury's first innings 251, the Knights produced a remarkable scorecard as the prolific Nathan Philip contributed well over half the side's eventual total.

On the back of his round 12 knock of 162 against Riverside, the left-handed middle-order batsman took his season's average to 85.2 with his second-highest score of 90 off 100 deliveries.

However, Tom Waller's 14 was the team's only other double-figure contribution as they finished more than 100 runs short on 146.

Westbury took maximum advantage by proceeding to pile on 7-246 in the second innings.

Dan Murfet led the way with 81, including 11 boundaries, while Ollie Wood marked his return from Raiders duties with an unbeaten 64.

Fellow gun all-rounder Jono Chapman also enjoyed the transition back to club cricket by adding a handy 33 runs to his 2-12 with the ball.

Chathura Athukorala chipped in with 24 before Murfet and Wood enjoyed a 100-run partnership.

Alex Licht (2-28 off 10 overs) and Graham Donaldson (2-31 plus an impressive eight maidens) were the only multiple wicket-takers for the Knights with headline-making club president Jeremy Jackson (1-64) unable to back up his six-wicket first-innings heroics.

Nick Spencer topped the Shamrocks' bowling figures with 3-36 with a third of his 12 overs being maidens. Kieren Hume added 2-37.

Third-placed RIVERSIDE boosted their finals hopes by cruising home against bottom-placed MOWBRAY with returning captain Tom Garwood a steady hand at the tiller.

Chasing the Eagles' 152, the Blues resumed at 4-88 and a 91-run partnership between Garwood (52 off 58) and Jack Colgrave saw them home.

Colgrave's dismissal for 42 sparked the declaration and Mowbray made 8-138 when sent back in.

James Storay (3-50) led the Eagles' bowling figures with Ben Spinks adding a helpful 2-29.

Without a first-grade five-for before this match, 21-year-old right-arm quick Jesse Homan backed up his first-innings 6-53 with 5-60 to finish with impressive match figures of 11-113.

Spinner James Simpson added 2-33 as Jonty Nicolson anchored Mowbray's second dig.

The youngster made a patient unbeaten 52 off 166 deliveries, including seven fours, as the Eagles recovered from a spell when they lost 5-13.

Opener Jason Snare showed no ill effects after being agonisingly run out on 99 in the first innings to post 24 as tail-ender Blake Cassidy added 20 in an innings featuring three ducks.

Despite next week's bye, Riverside look favourites to join Launceston and Westbury in the finals, with the top two facing a final-round showdown.

Mowbray host South in the other match.