PROVINCIAL
MT ELIZA has shot to the top of the MPCA Provincial ladder after recording its second outright victory for the season against Pines on Saturday.
While the Mounties have moved to the top of the table, the top four have now given themselves a buffer of 24 points.
Langwarrin, in fourth place, recording a convincing win against Moorooduc with leaders Jake Prosser and Travis Campbell starring with the bat.
Baxter star Chris Brittain was at his sensational best with an amazing 155 to help his side record a 50 plus run win against Mornington.
Peninsula Old Boys are in second place on the ladder after hanging on in a thriller against Pearcedale.
In other results, Sorrento knocked over Long Island by six wickets and Somerville proved too strong for Crib Point, who are experiencing a rough trot.
Chris Brittain was without question the story of round five in the match between Baxter and Mornington.
Arguably the best all-rounder in our game right now, Brittain blasted 18 fours and six sixes to help his side thrash Mornington.
The Doggies opened well, picking up openers Joe Rule and skipper Daniel Warwick to have the home side on the back foot at 2/38.
However Brittain, along with Justin Bridgeman who scored 66, quickly took the game away from the visitors.
By the time Bridgeman was out, Baxter was already five runs ahead and the 12 points were in the bank.
Pearcedale went within 40 runs of chasing down Peninsula Old Boys 266 on Saturday.
At various stages throughout the contest, it appeared that the Panthers were going to cause an upset, however, the Old Boys claimed important scalps at important times to grab yet another victory.
Brad Trotter got the Panthers away to a solid start with 54 and formed a solid partnership with Chris Dew, who top scored with 70.
Max Blackburn (24) and Shayne Gillings (34) did all the hard work in the middle, making the most of the foundation that had been laid for them.Their wickets were the difference between winning and losing the match, eventually dismissed for 237.
Skipper Kaine Smith, as he so often does, gave the visitors some hope late in the innings with 22, however when he went, it was all over from there.
The Olds Boys are a very professional outfit who are at the opposition relentlessly all day. It was this attitude that saw them win the match and maintain their strong position at the top of the ladder.
Langwarrin was in a strong position overnight against Moorooduc at 1/65 chasing 155 for victory and were never in an kind of trouble when play begun on day two.
Simon McEvoy (39) and Joel Bateman (40) got the Kangas away to a solid start and then Aaron Edwards (29), Jake Prosser (59) and Travis Campbell (68) dominated.
Prosser, who has been extremely patient this season, belted four fours and five sixes in his innings, while Campbell smashed 15 fours in his innings.
Langwarrin declared at 5/263 before sending the Ducs back out into the middle.
The Ducs were never in any trouble, finishing the day on 4/134 as the Kangas used eight bowlers, including McEvoy, who went for 10 off one over.
Mt Eliza was just 39 runs from victory when it resumed play at 2/50 on day two against Pines. The Mounties finished at 8/163 before sending the Piners back into bat.
After scoring just 88 in the first innings, Pines fared worse in its second dig, bowled out for just 79. The Mounties needed just eight runs to pick up the outright victory.
Justin Grant picked up an amazing 5/5 from eight overs in the second innings, giving him match figures of 8/18 off 26.5 overs, including 17 maidens.
Crib Point got its season back on track with a great victory against Somerville.
Chasing 233 for victory, the Magpies got the win with three wickets and plenty of overs to spare.
The top order set up the win with Henry Dolphin scoring 42, Matt Blake 69 and Luke Herrington 58, while Ricky Thompson once again chimed in when it was required with 21.
