HSD was not expected to trouble a Buckley Ridges outfit that is desperately trying to secure a position in the top four and it was all going to script after day one of the contest when the home team was bundled out for 155.

But Buckley Ridges, resuming at 2-16, were bowled out for 127 by a disciplined HSD bowling line-up, which was headlined by 5-19 to wily medium-pacer Michael Davies.

"We know that we can bowl pretty well, it's just if the batters can conjure up enough runs," HSD captain Wendell Perumal said. "I knew that if we could get into their middle order we would be a chance.

"We've got a really disciplined bowling attack and if Buckley has a weakness it would be their batting."

While HSD is out of finals calculations in its first season in Turf 1, the loss leaves Buckley Ridges needing to defeat Mordialloc in the final round and hope either Springvale South or Narre Warren falters.

Perumal said he was proud of his players to hold off a team that was desperate for victory.

"I've said all along that this team is such a team - we're a momentum team - we can get on good momentum rises and bad momentum slides," he said.

Perumal said he was confident his team would finish with a positive showing in the final round against Parkfield and believes the season has been successful in terms of building for the future.

He said HSD was not far off becoming a DDCA force and the recruitment of a top-line batsman would be crucial for the team to take the next step.

"I've said since coming here that there isn't a team in the competition that has as good a homegrown talent as us.

"They put in a couple of players - look at an overseas player that could lead our batting line-up and we'll be right up there. Everyone walks a bit taller when you have a player like that."

Meanwhile, Dandenong West recorded a 41-run first-innings victory over North Dandenong, Springvale South successfully defended 242 against Hallam Kalora Park, ladder leader Doveton was a 74-run winner over Mordialloc, Berwick successfully chased down Keysborough's 150 and Narre Warren easily beat Parkfield.