PROVINCIAL
MORNINGTON has the upper hand in its crucial match against Langwarrin after the opening day of Round 10 in MPCA Provincial cricket.
Coming into the match in fourth place on the ladder and 12 points behind the Kangas, the Doggies need to win to ensure it is in the best possible position going into the final match of the season, a one-dayer.
Mt Eliza is breathing down the neck of the Dogs, just eight points behind in fifth place. The Mounties are locked in a tough struggle against Sorrento and were 4/174 before rain stopped play after 68 overs.
The Dogs hit 210 in 70 overs against the Kangas, Brad McDonald the chief run getter with 73.
Langwarrin shared the wickets around with Jake Prosser the best of them with 3/38, while Mal Coutts and Matt Prosser claimed a couple of wickets each.
The home side has got away to a shocking start in reply, reeling at 2/10 with Simon McEvoy again back in the sheds early and Aaron Edwards out for two. Leigh Lambert has both wickets for the Dogs.
Mt Eliza will be hoping for some more runs when it bats for another 12 overs this week against Sorrento.
The Mounties will resume in a strong position and will be looking for another 60-70 runs to set the Sharks a tough total.
Keith Biggs is still at the crease on 40 while Damien Kent and Tim Strickland both hit 35.
Sorrento skipper Bobby Wilson has 2/46 from his 22 overs.
Baxter has one wicket in hand with four overs to bat after play was stopped in their top of the table clash with Peninsula Old Boys.
Baxter will resume at 9/194 after a couple of run outs cost the home team.
Jon Forrest was again the pick of the bowlers for the Old Boys with 2/27 while Tom Feldgen also claimed a couple of wickets.
Pearcedale are just 33 runs away from a victory against Somerville with nine wickets in hand.
The Eagles batted first and Leigh Lowry top scored with 30, while Sean parker opened with 26.
Shayne Gillings was again at his very best with the ball, ripping through the Eagles to finish with 6/46 from 19 overs, while Nick Pettitt helped himself to 2/20.
In reply, Chris Dew is unbeaten on 56 while Brad Trotter was the man out for 22.
Long Island has set Moorooduc 165 for victory thanks to a wagging tail of Andrew Tweddle (38) and Stuart Swift (36). At one stage the Islanders were 6/65.
Reece Cordeux had an outstanding day with the ball, picking up 4/24 from 18 overs, while Ben Marsh chimed in with a couple.
In reply, the Ducs are 1/22.
Crib Point are again in some strife with the bat after the bowlers did the good work with the ball against Pines.
The Pies are 3/24 in reply to Pines total of 136.
Rhys Chalkley was the best of the bats for Pines with 52, while Pat Jackson ensured the score got over 100 with 19 runs of his own.
Matty Blake did the damage with the ball for the Pies, picking up 5/22 from 13.2 overs, while Glenn Barclay and Brad Davidson got a couple of wickets each.
Duane Annable and Luke Herrington are the not out batsmen after the Pies lost the three wickets in the final 12 overs of play.
