MPCA: THE Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season started with 34 teams in three divisions.
After 11 matches since 5 October 2013, we are down to 12 teams battling for glory in the finals starting on the weekend.
It has been another enthralling season in all three divisions, with finals spots undecided until the last round of the season.
Regardless of how good it has been, you just get the feeling there is plenty of great cricket to come in the final few weeks.
Let’s take a look at the last time the sides met in Provincial, District and Sub-district matches.
Provincial
Mornington v Langwarrin, Round 5
Langwarrin won the toss and batted first at Mornington’s Alexandra Park.
Danny Weare top-scored for the Kangas with 44 and Michael Edwards (27), Mal Coutts (25) and Ben Wells (20) all got starts. They were bowled out for 150 in 53 overs, Matt Foon and Luke Popov taking four wickets each.
In reply, the Doggies batted for 96 overs and made 9/231. Anthony Gapes scored 58 and Ben Clements 63. Dwayne Doig snared 4/70 for the Kangas and Matt Davie 3/56.
Sorrento v Long Island, Round 11.
The sides met last weekend. It was a one-day match so things will be different in a two-day game.
Long Island batted first and made 8/224, Justin Bridgeman top-scoring with 83, Paul Hartle hitting 55 and Aaron Paxton 31. C J King took 4/63 for the Sharks.
In reply, Greg Lamb took 5/32 and Hartle 3/45 to bowl Sorrento out for 146, Liam O’Connor top-scoring with 33.
District
Delacombe Park v Somerville, Round 10
The Parkers and Eagles met two weeks ago at Delacombe Park. The Eagles were smashed, making just 78 in 53.3 overs. Sam Delaney hit 43 and Chris Brittain picked up 4/18 from 13 overs for the Parkers.
In reply, Delacombe made 7/206 in 91 overs. Nick Christides top-scored with 71 and Chris Brittain made 32.
Pines v Main Ridge
The sides met in the opening round of the 2013-14 season in a one-day match.
Pines won the toss and sent the Ridge in to bat, which paid dividends, the visitors being restricted to 9/94 from 40 overs. Brett Remy picked up 4/18 for the Piners.
In reply, Pines got the runs with five overs to spare, and Ricky Ramsdale top-scored with an unbeaten 30.
Sub-district
Red Hill v Balnarring
Red Hill travelled to Balnarring in round four. The Hillmen batted first after winning the toss and were rolled for just 112 in 38.4 overs. James Wisken collected 4/18 from nine overs and Jacob Cook 3/29.
Red Hill was superb with the ball, rolling Balnarring for just 93. Lincoln Toy was on fire with 4/25 from eight overs while Glenn Collett (2/14) and Brent Martin (2/3) were also among the wickets.
Rosebud v Frankston YCW
The Stonecats hosted the Buds in the first game after Christmas, a one-dayer.
Rosebud won the toss and batted first, scoring 6/225. Darren Kerr top-scored with 86, Matty Maher hit 37 and Leigh Parslow 28. Luke Hutchison was the pick of the bowlers with 2/28.
In reply, the Stonecats did things easily with two overs to spare. Jack Greenwood opened with 75 and Jason Bedford hit 52 to help the home side to 6/229. James Magee with 3/40 off seven overs was Rosebud’s best bowler.
