A game-and-a-half wedge was created between the top four and the bottom four on the ladder after last weekend's round of one-day matches.

Only an almighty collapse from one of the top four teams will see them lose a place among the elite.

Conversely, the bottom four are not playing well enough to be considered a chance of making a late run to the finals.

The bad news for Wyndhamvale and Point Cook is that they are two of the four teams on the outer.

The Vales let an opportunity slip in a 34-run loss to the Grand United Gorillas away at Parsons Reserve.

The Gorillas were in a world of trouble at 6-92, but the Vales let them off the hook.

Tail-ender Carl Comensoli blasted 49 not out to get the Gorillas to a respectable 8-160 off 40 overs.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Vales bowlers Trent Lawford (2-29) and Shaun Mould (3-26), who did everything in their powers to keep the runs down.

Speaking of runs, the Vales have made a habit of producing tiny totals this season, and this was no different.

Andrew Mundey (42) and the ever-consistent Lawford (31) fought hard in the middle order.

The loss leaves the Vales in fifth spot, nine points behind fourth-placed Williamstown Colts and rapidly running out of time to make up the deficit.

Point Cook had a golden opportunity to bridge the gap as they were facing the Colts at Greenwich Reserve.

Aside from David Hicks (37), Andrew Morton (20) and Kingston Alfred (18), their batting let them down and they could muster just 9-100 in 40 overs.

The Colts cruised to victory.