Golden Point required 347 runs for victory in what was always going to be a tough ask, and its season-defining run chase did not get off to a good start, losing opener Andrew Falkner with the first ball of the day.

However, Golden Point fought back hard and put together partnerships of 80 and 65 throughout its innings led by skipper Josh White (85 runs) and star import Tamar Lambert (93 runs).

The turning point of the match was the run out of White just after tea. White felt the side was in a strong position with wickets in hand, but a mix-up between the wickets proved the captain’s downfall which resulted in a stagnant run rate and left Golden Point with all too much to do for the remainder of the afternoon.

It ended its 80 overs at 9-307.

Golden Point’s chances of playing finals are not impossible, but look unlikely.

Saturday’s loss puts it two games out of the four and it will require victory against second-placed Wendouree next week before a round 12 bye and will need Napoleons-Sebastopol to lose its matches against Mt Clear and Wendouree. Leaving its opponent, East Ballarat, as perhaps the main threat to the top four.

Captain White said it was disappointing to see its destiny placed in the hands of others after being top-of-the-table at the start of the year.

“We haven’t played our best cricket,” White said.

“It is disappointing after being on top after Christmas. It’s so tight, a few losses really hurt.

“All we can do is try and win next game and hope that a few things happen, that’s the way it is. You don’t like to have to worry about other games, but if we can win next game and a couple of things go our way then we’re still a chance.

“We did some good things is this game, some guys batted well and some guys bowled well, but overall we’re just not quite putting it together as we previously did.”

White said while the batting performance was impressive on Saturday, the damage was done last week – allowing East Ballarat to score 346 runs.

“You make 300 and you lose, it’s a bit weird. We didn’t bat badly, but last week we let them get away from us.”