A Ross Levett and Matt Wines partnership of more than 100 runs saved Woodford from unraveling after the Eels found themselves looking vulnerable midway through the first innings against Dennington.
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The Eels lost opening batter Luke Wines to Dustin Drew in the second over before slumping to 6-116 at one point in the final round of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association season.
Skipper Nick Butters made 68 runs at first drop before he was bowled by Peter Shepherd.
Levett finished with 64 and Matt Wines 69 runs, both of their highest scores of the season, as Woodford posted a total of 247 runs.
Woodford coach John Houston said given the blistering conditions, which saw a local top of 39.6 degrees, anything over 200 runs was a good result.
"Anything over 220 runs on a normal day is pretty hard to chase down," he said.
"But the heat wasn't that bad for us in the end. And it is a summer sport after all, so we've just got to put up with it.
"It was great to see Matt and Ross in good form."
Houston said he would aim to get early wickets against Dennington next week by building pressure.
Fifth-placed Merrivale made a promising start against Russells Creek with 275 runs, meaning the loser of the Woodford-Dennington clash could potentially drop out of the top four.
But the Eels coach said he would only be focused on his own side's game.
"We've still got a job to do," Houston said.
"I won't worry about things we can't control."
