DISTRICT
GOING into the third last round of MPCA District cricket, there are six teams all vying for a place in the finals.
Top of the table Red Hill is assured its place, however, the race is well and truly on for the teams looking to occupy the final three placings.
Whilst Somerville, Carrum and Mt Martha hold spots in the top bracket, Seaford and Main Ridge are waiting for any wrong move so they can swoop.
And going on the results of the first day’s play of Round Nine, there is plenty of opportunities opening up.
Red Hill hasn’t put a foot wrong this season, currently undefeated. This reign appears to be coming to a close though in this match.
On Saturday against Main Ridge, the home side was bowled out for just 122.
At one stage they were 8/87.
Riley Shaw opened with 32 and was the team’s top scorer whilst Nick Esipoff contributed 30 batting at 10.
James Abbott was superb for Main Ridge with 5/25 from 12.3 overs. Scott Millar also had the radar going with 4/64 from 25 overs.
In reply, Main Ridge faced the last 22 overs of the day and finished at 2/76.
Brad Rossborough is not out on 32.
Second and third placed Somerville and Carrum are going toe to toe and it was a disastrous day one for the batsmen.
There were 13 wickets to fall on the opening day, Carrum losing all of theirs for just 121, while Somerville was 3/17 at stumps.
Liam Dobson top scored with 27 for the Lions, while Jackson Fry did the damage with the ball with 2/8.
Fourth-placed Mt Martha has set Seaford Tigers a task to reach 228 for victory.
The Reds batted first on Saturday at Belvedere Park and made 6/227.
Aidan Pateman top scored for the Reds with 60, opening the batting, giving him 312 runs for the season.
Matthew Pollock was also solid with the bat for Mt Martha with 47.
Tom Burgdorf was the pick of the Tigers’ bowlers with 3/56 from 26 overs.
Ryan McQueen hit a season-high 120 for Seaford in its match against Delacombe Park.
Nick Simpendorfer was also amongst the runs with 48, helping the visitors to 9/274.
Ben Brittain, Evan Campbell and Nick Christides all snared two wickets.
The Parkers will need to perform at their best with the bat to get out of this one.
The fifth-placed Seaford must win to keep their finals hopes alive.
Carey Sawosz was at his brilliant best again on Saturday for Hastings, picking up 5/42 against Flinders.
Luke Hewitt also bowled well, taking 3/57, however, despite their efforts with the ball, it didn’t prevent Flinders getting to 193.
Andrew Power top scored for the Sharks with 48, Shane Beggs scored 35 and Tim Clarke 30.
Boneo and Baden Powell are also locked in a bottom of the ladder tussle.
Boneo batted first on Saturday and made 155, Ryan Jellie top scoring with 46.
The Braves’ bowlers were good, Brendan Jovic bowling 21 overs and claiming 4/54.
Sean Wilson was sensational, bowling eight maidens in his 17.1 overs and finished with the impressive figures of 4/18.
