The Centurions must start to negotiate a passage to safety or face the real prospect of consecutive relegations.

"It's make or break for the club," Centurions captain Dean Taylor told the Weekly.

The Centurions took a step in the right direction on the opening day of their two-day clash with finals-chasing East Keilor at Galvin Park on Saturday.

They hit more than 200 for the first time this season and did it at a brisk rate with 215 off 65 overs.

It was a stark improvement on a week ago, when they were all out for an embarrassing 31 against Aberfeldie Park.

Taylor made it known after that abysmal showing that it was a last chance saloon for some of his batsmen.

Heads would roll if they could not bounce back against Easts and they heeded the call.

"I had a chat to a couple of the boys during the week and they stood up and did really well," Taylor said.

Andrew Chapman was the mainstay of the innings.

The Englishman occupied time at the crease and frustrated the bowlers on his way to 44.

He made life a lot easier for the batsmen at the other end and both Taylor and Luke Allister cashed in with scores of 46.

"He's [Chapman] been a bit up and down this season – but he's also been a bit unlucky with some of his dismissals," Taylor said.

"He showed his maturity and nutted out a good innings."

Easts faced 15 overs before stumps and shaved 55 runs off the target.

The Centurions played their part in the latter over with two crucial wickets.

The first an outstanding team lifting run out in the covers on a direct hit from Shaun Jennings and young medium pacer Phil Green snared a wicket with an lbw decision.

The equation is simple: score 161 runs and Easts win, take eight wickets and the Centurions win.

Taylor likes the situation the Centurions find themselves in.

"Our bowling is our strength and I'd like to think we can go close to winning this one."

Senior division: Royal Park-Brunswick 0-1 v Hoppers Crossing 210 (Brown 59 Said 38no).

North A1: Werribee Centrals 215 (Allister 46 Taylor 46 Chapman 44) v East Keilor 2-55.

West B1: Seabrook 1-8 v Sunshine Heights 156 (Bavarva 3-31 Kilfoy 3-32).