PENINSULA
MAIN Ridge remains the dominant force in MPCA Peninsula after making light work of Delacombe Park in round three on Saturday.
But whilst the Ridge opened the season with three straight wins, last year’s grand finalists, Delacombe, are yet to win a game.
Main Ridge had no hesitation to bat first when it won the toss on Saturday and arguably the best sportsman on the peninsula right now, Shaun Foster, went to work.
In just his second game back and after scoring a half-century last week, he backed it up with 122 on Saturday.
Michael Holmes opened with him and made 57 in the pair’s opening stand of 100. Gareth Wyatt was the next best with 19.
The Parker’s Ricky Ramsdale was the pick of the bowlers with 3/28.
In reply, the visitors were never in the game, losing their first three wickets for just 18, including Ramsdale, Nick Christides and Jon Guthrie.
Oliver McEnroe was the best of the Ridge bowlers with 3/41, while Luke Collins picked up 2-15.
Long Island is the only other undefeated team in Peninsula after beating Pines.
Pines batted first and hit 3/17 before Harley Peace-Stirling (75) and Nick Wilcox (52) got things going. However, there was no wag in the tail and the visitors were restricted to 9/159.
James Paxton was outstanding with the ball for the Islanders with 4/35.
In reply, the home side passed the target six wickets down with an over the spare.
Edirisinghe Pubudu top scored with 78 while Michael Burke contributed 27.
Pat Jackson was Pines’ best bowler, taking 4/28 from eight overs.
Somerville lost its first game of the season against Flinders, who won their opening game of the year.
Flinders batted first on their home deck and made 8/171. Many players got starts with Max Royal top scoring with 33 and Mason Mail scoring 32. Blake Terlaak was the pick of the Somerville bowlers with 4/38.
In reply, the Eagles were rolled for just 139. When Jayde Herrick was bowled by Matt Burns for 12, the Eagles were in trouble at 4/23. Burns ended up with 4/15 from his eight overs, including a valuable two maidens.
Red Hill is now comfortable in third position after smashing Moorooduc, who remain winless.
The Hillmen batted first and skipper Simon Dart top scored with 69, while Tom Collett was solid with 46 off 40 balls, helping his side to 8/194.
In reply, the Ducs were rolled for 106, Rhys Hewitt the best of the Hillmen bowlers with 4/20 from six overs.
First published in the Mornington News – 24 October 2017
