Darley started the round just three points outside the top four and 15 above ninth-placed North Ballarat but was bowled out in the 57th over at Northern Oval.

Cape hit 82 as the only Darley player to make more than 20 runs, digging the team out of a 4-29 hole after the visitors had won the toss and batted.

Cape then struck twice with the ball as Darley sent down 20 overs before stumps, leaving North Ballarat 2-31 in reply.

Darley will go on the hunt for the remaining eight wickets this weekend.

Victory may well be a necessity to keep pace with the top four, given fourth-placed Golden Point will be chasing 181 to beat seventh-placed Coronet City this weekend.