PROVINCIAL
MORNINGTON made its intentions well and truly known on Saturday that it is looking for an outright victory against Long Island at Alexandra Park.
In a very tight 2016-17 season, every point and every ounce of percentage is going to come into play at the conclusion of the final home and away match of the season.
The Dogs are outside the top bracket by just four points (behind Mt Eliza) and a game behind Langwarrin and POB. An outright win in this match would get them inside the four.
In a game of cat and mouse, Long Island won the toss and sent the home side into bat. The Dogs responded with 7/220 in 60 overs, Brad McDonald scoring 90, Luke Popov opening with 33 and skipper Matt Foon hitting 32.
The Islanders faced the last 20 overs of the day and finished on 3/52 with Brad Bailey, Peter Connell and Lochlan Scott all back in the sheds. Foon snared 2/17 from five overs and Popov picked up the wicket of Connell.
Langwarrin teenager Aaron Edwards went agonisingly close to his first senior century against Mt Eliza, caught behind off the bowling of Shaun Knott for 99.
With the field up and Knott previously up in his grill, Edwards, who came in in the second over of the day and was still there 72 overs later, swiped at a Knott delivery outside off stump, only to tickle it and get caught behind.
Travis Campbell scored 37, Matt Prosser 33 and Taylor Smith hit 27, helping the Kangas to 239.
Thirteen wickets fell in the Moorooduc and Crib Point match.
The Ducs batted first and were rolled for 132, Shamith Kannangara scoring almost half of them with 68, while David Greensmith was next best with 19.
In reply, Crib Point is in some trouble at 3/35 with Brad Davidson, Matt Blake and Tom Pengally all back in the sheds.
Pines has set Baxter 219 for victory in their match at Eric Bell Reserve. While a number of players got starts for the Piners, none were able to get on with the job. Damien Lawrence top-scored with 43, Craig Entwhistle hit 33, Harley Peace-Stirling 31 and Nick Wilcox chimed-in with a handy 34.
James LaBrooy continued his dominance with the ball for Peninsula Old Boys on Saturday against Somerville, taking 6/43 from 15 overs. Somerville put together a more than competitive total, however, snaring 221.
Pearcedale were choked by Sorrento on Saturday, restricted to just 129 in 80 overs.
Brad Trotter scored 59 of them, while Will Kennedy hit 25.
Sorrento skipper Bobby Wilson snared 4/20 from 26 overs for the Sorras, including 17 maidens, while Sam Duewel picked up 2/28 from 21 overs.
First published in the Mornington News – 7 February 2017
