PROVINCIAL
MT ELIZA has stormed into the MPCA Provincial top four after smashing Long Island on Saturday.
The Mounties replaced the Islanders in the top bracket after going within one wicket of claiming an outright win.
Somehow, the Islanders were able to survive the final 49 overs of the day, finishing on 9/75 in their second innings.
Seasoned campaigners Andrew Tweddle and Greg Lamb had to survive some tense moments before the end of play.
Mt Eliza resumed on Saturday at 6/145 after bowling out Long Island for just 78 in 31.5 overs on day one.
Rob Maskiel made 22, Jason Mathers 42 and Nicholas Baron 19 before the Mounties declared their innings at 9/225.
Scott Phillips was the pick of the Islanders’ bowlers with 5/72 from 31 overs.
When Long Island openers Aaron Paxton and Paul Hartle were both removed for ducks, the Mounties got a sniff of an outright win.
Peter Connell went for one and the Islanders were in all sorts of strife at 3/1.
Justin Bridgeman (28) and Phillips (17) offered some resistance in the middle order, as well as bat through some overs.
Long Island just needed to hang on, which it just managed to do.
Scott Creffield (whose new nickname at the club is Sam) and Tom Baron each claimed two wickets for the Mounties.
Mt Eliza is a real threat to top sides Sorrento and Mornington and with remaining games against Moorooduc and Mt Martha, should maintain its position in the top four.
Long Island will face off against Langwarrin in the second last round this weekend in what is a season-defining game for both clubs.
The loser of this match can kiss goodbye to the 2013-14 finals.
The Kangas were chasing a tricky Crib Point total on Saturday of 195 for victory. The Magpies bowlers were superb and rolled the home side for 148.
It was a wonderful victory for the Pies, who at one stage on day one of their match were 5/29.
On Saturday, the Pies’ key bowlers in Glenn Barclay (three wickets), Luke Herrington (four wickets) and Brad Davidson (three wickets) all stepped up to the plate.
Mal Coutts was the best of the Kangas’ batsmen with 28, while Simon McEvoy opened with 26.
The Magpies are too far outside of the top four to make a late dash for finals, but their best cricket is good enough to knock off any team. They play Sorrento this weekend.
Baxter bounced back from its shock loss to Langwarrin to claim one of the competition’s biggest scalps in Sorrento.
Defending 301, Baxter’s bowling attack got to work and rolled the home side for 244.
Nick Jewell top scored for the Sorras with 78, while Mick Dunball helped himself to 31.
Adrian Mack was the pick of the Baxter bowlers with 3/34, while Dale Irving, Marc Uccello and Ben Smith all picked up two wickets each.
Mornington rolled Heatherhill with ease.
After scoring 8/293 on the first day of the match, the Doggies made light work of the Hills in response.
The Hills had no answers for the Dogs’ Michael Heib, who claimed six wickets.
Nathan Martin was the standout performer with the bat for Heatherhill, scoring 62.
Mt Martha is every chance now to avoid relegation after picking up their first win of the year against Peninsula Old Boys.
The Reds successfully defended their 248, bowling out the Old Boys in a thriller for 245.
Rye almost pulled off a reverse outright win against Moorooduc.
Moorooduc scored 188 in response to Rye’s first innings total of 100 to claim first innings points.
However, Rye made a whopping 8/217 in just 36 overs in its second innings before sending the Ducs back in to bat to face the last 23 overs of the day.
Aaron Fiddes top scored for the Demons with 75 while Andrew Hitchener scored 38.
Rye went within four wickets of getting the reverse outright, snaring 6/77 in the Ducs’ second innings.
Rye play Mt Martha in the final two-day game of the season.
The loser of the match will drop down a division and play in District grade next season.
