The defending premiers barely managed to field the minimum number of players required, but went on a scoring spree to rack up 6-227 from their 40 overs against the cellar dwellars.

Largely on the back of Tim Kennedy’s swashbuckling 66, Canowindra threatened to haul themselves to a much-needed win on several occasions.

In the end they were rolled for 208 with 10 balls remaining, a result which means this weekend’s clash with Grenfell is a win-or-you’re-out contest.

Troy Adams’ side, saddled with the bye in the last round, can leapfrog Grenfell into fourth if they can pocket their second win of the season and first at home.

Valleys, meanwhile, will be involved in a virtual minor premiership showdown with Townhouse.

They will take some much-needed confidence with the bat into the contest after making the most of some wayward Canowindra bowling.

All batsmen threatened to score big with Tyler Nobes (39), Greg Garlick (23), Matt Pullen (23) and Luke O’Reilly (15) finding the fence with ease.

Nick Delaney, asked to spearhead his side’s attack in the prolonged absence of Nick Guthrie, toiled for 3-47 with Luke Fliedner, Tim Kennedy and Brendan Traves picking up the other scalps.

Trent Pengilly (2-24) was the unlikely partnership-breaker when a sliding Garlick took a catch off Ian Morrow’s (17) bat to end a 38-run stand.

Andrew Pull (26) followed soon after.

Tim Kennedy marked his return to the crease when he and brother Pat piled on 55 runs for the fourth wicket.

Tim was particularly brutal on anything loose, despositing three sixes and six boundaries in an innings-saving knock.

But despite receiving able support from the middle to lower order, Canowindra’s chances frittered away when he swung across the line at one too many Pullen (2-22) offerings.

At that stage Canowindra were in the ascendancy needing 34 runs from six overs with three wickets in the hutch.

Pullen finished the match when he rattled Delaney’s stumps as Valleys extended their somewhat fortunate unbeaten run to eight matches.