CROYDON North made the best possible start to 2013 with a hard-fought win over Ainslie Park at Ainslie Park Reserve as the RDCA Lindsay Trollope Shield competition resumed on Saturday.
After losing the toss and being sent into the field, the Knights put in a stingy performance keeping the Parkers to 8-160 from their 40 overs, despite a fast outfield.
Brad Wadsworth topped the Parkers' batting with 47 not out.
But the Parkers fought back with the ball, reducing the Knights to 4-41 after three early wickets to Scott Panozza.
Knights pair Nasir Shafiq (56) and James Belli (32 not out) dug in with a 73-run stand before Belli and Craig Alexander (23 not out) took their side to victory at 5-166.
The win leaves the Knights hot on the heels of the top four with the finals race tightening up as only a couple of games separate second and last place.
Knights captain Mark Sacristani said his bowlers set up the win by bowling tightly.
In other matches, North Ringwood cemented its place on top of the ladder with a win over Wantirna South.
Warranwood rose off the bottom of the ladder with an easy win over Bayswater Park.
South Warrandyte was in a good position at 2-80 against South Croydon before losing 8-48 to be all out for 128.
Coming in at 1-2, David White (51 not out) held South Croydon's innings together to see them pass the Hawks' score.