PROVINCIAL
MORNINGTON is going all out in one last ditch effort to make the MPCA Provincial finals.
Sitting in 10th place heading into their Round eight match against Rye, the Dogs found themselves 20 points behind second placed Long Island.
There was no other result Mornington could afford than an outright win and the 20 points that came with it.
After the completion of day one, the Dogs are on track to achieve their objective.
Mornington won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Demons at RJ Rowley Reserve.
The home side lasted 37.4 overs for a net return of 65 runs.
Michael Heib was the destroyer with six wickets while Matt Dunn top scored with 22 for Rye.
The Dogs then batted for 22 overs. It was enough time for Matt Foon to belt an unbeaten 100 while Brad McDonald hit 31 at the other end. The Dogs finished their innings at 0/132 before sending Rye back in for the final 20 overs of the day.
Mornington needs seven wickets and the Demons need a further 17 runs to make Mornington bat again.
Rye will resume on day two at 3/51 with skipper Tommy Baron still at the crease, unbeaten on 31.
Heib has another two second innings’ wickets to give him eight for the match at this stage.
Crib Point has knocked Baxter out of the top four.
Playing on their home deck, the Pies sent Baxter into bat first and proceeded to roll them for just 88 in 30.1 overs.
Jacob Cook was outstanding with the new ball for the home side, snaring 6/43 while Glenn Barclay claimed 3/37.
Ben Brittain was again the only Baxter batsman to offer any real resistance, top scoring with 24.
In reply, the Magpies were 4/44 at one stage before Ricky Thompson (39 not out) and Neil Clark (30) came out to bat. Rob Hearn also made 35 at the top of the order.
The Pies will resume at 7/169, 81 runs ahead of the visitors.
Ben Smith was the pick of the Baxter bowlers with 3/31.
Long Island has set fourth-placed Somerville 172 for victory.
The Islanders were bowled out with two overs remaining for the day.
Somerville will resume at 0/4.
Moorooduc has left Sorrento with some work to do in their match at Moorooduc Reserve.
Winning the toss and batting first, the sixth-placed Ducs made 216 in 75.1 overs.
At one stage Moorooduc was in real trouble at 6/77. However, Nick Williams hit an unbeaten 95 and Adam Bayley hit 28 and together put up almost 100 for the seventh wicket.
Bobby Wilson claimed three wickets for the Sorras while Ryan O’Connor, who left Ballam Park mid-season, claimed a couple of wickets.
In reply, Sorrento is 0/4.
Pines and Langwarrin are in battle in a “last roll of the dice” affair. The loser of this match can kiss their finals chances goodbye.
After day one, Pines are the unbackable favorites after Rhys Chalkley (104) and Nick Wilcox (81) put on 153 for the opening stand.
Former Roo Brent Magill then made a quick fire 29 at the end of the innings to help the Piners to 298.
Nathan Volpe was the best of the Langwarrin bowlers with 6/48 from 8.5 overs.
Top of the table Peninsula Old Boys has set Mt Eliza 234 for victory after making 233 in 79 overs.
Eivion Bowen top scored for the Old Boys with 63 runs while Glen Prendergast hit 53 at the top of the order. The batting order was very different for this clash with Brandon Lawler and Dylan O’Malley batting down the list and Wil Crowder and Bowen batting higher.
Justin Grant was the best of the Mounties’ bowlers with 4/90 from 28 overs.
