PROVINCIAL
PINES have narrowly beaten fellow title contenders Dromana in an epic matchup at Eric Bell Reserve.
Both sides have been locked in a battle for top spot on the ladder this season. Pines was sent in to bat first by Dromana last Saturday, and suffered a big early blow.
Pines opener Ricky Ramsdale was dismissed for a duck after just three deliveries. Dale Irving took the crucial wicket. Nick Christides settled things down for the hosts, going on to score 61 from 63 deliveries. Number four batter Harley Peace-Stirling also impressed – he scored a half-century before Zacc Klan sent him back to the sheds. Pines finished their 40 overs at 6/205.
Dromana kept touch with their target throughout their innings thanks to a mighty effort by skipper Kierran Voelkl. He scored 95 runs from 105 deliveries, and came agonisingly close to dragging his side to victory. Voelkl was bowled out by Billy Humphrey to take Dromana to 9/198. They kept pushing but ultimately fell just short – Dromana was bowled out for 203 with just one ball left to spare for the day.
Although he didn’t make an impact with the bat, Ricky Ramsdale redeemed himself by taking 4/37. He tore through the middle order to help get his side the points.
The result puts Pines a game clear on top of the ladder. Dromana are in third, with Langwarrin occupying second spot.
Langwarrin continued their strong season with a comfortable win over Sorrento on Saturday.
Langwarrin put 228 runs on the board at Lloyd Park against the Sharks. Opener Matt Prosser top scored with 98 not out. Sorrento only managed to score 102 in reply. They were bowled out in 25 overs. Jake Prosser ended the day with a five-wicket haul.
Baden Powell and Red Hill rounded out the weekend with wins over Heatherhill and Old Peninsula respectively.
PENINSULA
A BIG knock from Jean-Luc Talbot helped Mt Eliza pick up a vital win over Long Island last weekend.
Mt Eliza batted first at Emil Madsen Reserve. Talbot opened and went on to score 94 runs from 109 deliveries – Michael Burke dismissed him six runs short of his century. Mt Eliza ended up scoring 199 from their 40 overs. Long Island struggled from the start, and at 4/46 looked in massive trouble. The middle order steadied things, but Long Island still finished all out for 152.
Moorooduc wrapped up a thrilling win over Seaford Tigers last weekend with just one ball left to spare.
Seaford Tigers set Moorooduc a target of 183 to chase down at Belvedere Reserve. After a shaky start to the run chase, Moorooduc batter Michael Whincup took the game by the scruff of the neck.
Batting at number six, Whincup hit an unbeaten 51 from 44 deliveries. Moorooduc hit the winning runs with just one ball left to spare.
Ladder leaders Rosebud continued their winning ways with a six-wicket win over Mornington at Olympic Park on Saturday. Somerville beat Seaford comfortably at RF Miles Reserve.
DISTRICT
BAXTER held on to beat Carrum in a thriller at Roy Dore Reserve last Saturday. Baxter chose to bat first after winning the toss. They went on to score 184 runs from their 40 overs – Priyantha Kumara top scored with 65 from 77 deliveries. Dylan Ridgway took four wickets to help keep his side in the hunt.
Carrum’s run chase got off to a good start, with Shaun Foster putting 72 runs on the scoreboard and number three batter Liam Hulett scoring 51. A middle order collapse cost them the game. Carrum fell from 2/163 to 6/168. Time ended up being the enemy, as they finished their 40 overs at 7/180. Baxter won by just four runs.
Carrum Downs smashed Crib Point last weekend, chasing down a target of 87 within just 20 overs.
Balnarring got the better of Main Ridge at home on Saturday, and Flinders bested Boneo.
SUB DISTRICT
TYABB’S impressive season continued last weekend with a victory over Skye. Tyabb set Skye a target of 181 to chase down at Skye Reserve on Saturday. Skipper Justin Bridgeman scored 43 runs and Jayden Regan scored 46. Skye’s run chase was hampered by Lachlan Hose, who ran through their middle order. Hose finished with figures of 5/29 from eight overs. Tyabb bowled out Skye for 148, locking up a 33 run win.
Frankston YCW took just 17 overs to chase down a target of 117 against Tootgarook on Saturday.
Around the grounds, Rye got a big win on the road against Ballam Park. Rye emerged victorious by 79 runs. Delacombe Park hosted Mt Martha, and came away from the game with an eight-run win.