The Magpies were rolled for 129 by West on a Greaves Reserve wicket which Jarrett described as "under-prepared".

But he refused to use the pitch as an excuse, instead commending his batsmen for surviving well into the final session until West bowler Peter Atkinson (7-33) took 6-6 from nine overs in the final session.

In reply the Magpies made full use of the appealing bowling conditions to leave West at 3-34 at stumps needing another 95 runs for victory.

"The game is right in the balance," Jarrett said.

"We got a couple of their best batsmen out."

Jarrett said strike bowlers Dushan Wickramaratne and James Giertz would hold the key to a Magpies victory.

Parkfield's Steve Spoljaric showed exactly why he is considered the class player of the competition as he made 136 in bowler-friendly conditions against Hallam Kalora Park.

Spoljaric's innings helped Parkfield to 227, a score Hallam will have to chase down this Saturday.

Doveton is in position to score an outright win over Keysborough when play resumes at Keysborough Reserve.

The Borough was bowled out for 120 in its innings. Matt Hutchinson (4-42) led the charge before Doveton bats Brad Downe 46 and Hutchinson 39 quickly helped the visitors to 3-125, a score that they swiftly declared on. The Borough was 2-16 at stumps in its second innings and will have to defend its final eight wickets stoically if it is to avoid handing full points to Doveton.

North Dandenong gets the opportunity for an outright win after skittling Heinz Southern Districts for 48.

North is 2-134 in response with Shane Leonard making 60 not out and Janahan Kumaralingam 36 not out.

Berwick is in a commanding position against Mordialloc despite being bowled out for 172 with Mordialloc's Stuart Squires taking 6-66.

Berwick has Mordialloc 3-46 at stumps with James Davies in ominous form with 2-7.

Springvale South looks a good chance of returning to the winners list as the Bloods chase Buckley Ridges' 170 this Saturday.