A dominant display with the bat against ninth-placed Ballarat-Redan delivered 385 runs for the loss of eight wickets in tough conditions.

But what pleased skipper Josh White the most was the fact that a number of players got quality time out in the middle and look primed to have a big say through the finals series.

Leading the way was recruit Josh Richards.

Richards recently made the move to Ballarat from Sydney, but was born in South Africa, impressively, he captained the country's under-19 team.

Having made the move to Ballarat to study, he is keen to get back into cricket, and he had 118 good reasons for that on Saturday.

Richards top-scored with 118, Simon Ogilvie made 76 while Josh White made 64.

"It was very good because when you come up against a team that knows they're playing their last game, you're always wanting to put a big score on the board. It's good that a few different guys made some runs, going into finals that's a good thing," White said.

"We've got a lot of options with the bat, there's a few guys that can make big scores. If someone misses out, somebody else will get them, it's a good position to be in.

"We just have to focus on this game. It was very pleasing, obviously we haven't won the game yet, but we're well on the way.

"We just wanted to get some continuity with the team. There were a couple of guys I wanted to get a hit into and one of those guys was Josh Richards. He's only just come back to cricket and it gives him another innings under his belt and he saw a lot of balls."

White said while the scorecard may suggest a batting paradise, it was 385 hard-earned runs in 35-plus degree heat. 

"The wicket actually was not the greatest batting wicket, you might look at the scorecard and see 380-odd, but there was a bit of grass on it, it was tough going out there."

Brendan Thomson and Matthew Aikman toiled hard with the ball, bowling 34 overs between them to take 2-68 and 2-89.

EAST Ballarat looks to be in the box seat against North Ballarat heading into day two.

The Hawks bowled North Ballarat out for 172 on Saturday. 

Connor Miles (60) and Matthew Zakynthinos (46) combined for 78 runs for the third wicket, but that was as much resistance as the North line-up provided.

Dylan Price (31) was run out late in the day, halting his building innings.

Oliver Hayes was important, taking 2-46 from 20 overs, including the prized wicket of Leigh Lorenzen, for a duck. While Harry Ganley took 3-21.

East Ballarat ended the day at 1-28 from 11 overs, Ganley falling for 13.

Lewis Hodgins (11*) and James Nichols (0*) will resume at the crease.

With Golden Point in a commanding position against Ballarat-Redan, it looks unlikely the Hawks and North will meet in the first week of finals, but East Ballarat will be pleased to be in a positive position against a fellow finals side. 

DANZA Hyatt once again showed his class on the weekend, bringing up a century to put Darley in a commanding position against Wendouree.

Hyatt helped the Lions to a total of 300. His ton flushed with the familiar style that has seen him make a number of impressive scores, but this was his first hundred in the BCA. 

MT CLEAR is one good day with the bat away from securing top spot on the BCA first grade ladder.

The Mounties bowled Buninyong out for 174 runs on the weekend and then hit eight runs off the one over their batsmen faced.

Three bowlers took the wickets. Ashley George claimed 4-70 while Darren Fletcher (3-24) and Darcy Thomson (3-28) each took three wickets.

Mt Clear will be pleased with Saturday's play, responding well after a surprise loss to Darley the week prior.

The Mounties will need to deliver with the bat to cap off the weekend's good work, but it is certainly well poised.

Brendan Moyle (3*) and Jacob Smith (1*) are at the crease.

If Mt Clear can retain top spot, it looks likely it will face North Ballarat in the opening round of finals.

NAPOLEONS-SEBASTOPOL will have an opportunity to post its first victory of the season in the final round of the year.

Naps-Sebas bowled well on Saturday to dismiss Brown Hill for 187. Joseph Lynch (4-58) and Luke Corden (3-43) led the attack. Naps-Sebas faced 11 overs at the crease, finishing the day at 1-15.

They have come undone a number of times with the bat throughout the season, but will be eager to change that and finish on a winning note.