PROVINCIAL
FINALLY, there was some play in MPCA Provincial cricket on Saturday.
It was a great week for Langwarrin CC, who jumped to the top of the table, relegating Peninsula Old Boys to second place after recording a seven wicket win at Peninsula Grammar.
Meanwhile, there is now a 20 point gap between fourth-placed Mornington and fifth placed Baxter.
Since being promoted back to Provincial, Langwarrin has struggled against POB and Baxter.
On Saturday, however, the monkey was lifted off the Kangas’ back after winning comfortably against POB.
The Kangas lost the toss and bowled first but got away to a great start with the ball, dismissing the usual thorn in their side, (and may other sides also!) Dylan O’Malley after he started the innings with a boundary.
Fellow opener Wade Pelzer hit 48 and Glenn Prendergast made 54 in POB’s total of 6/155, while Adam Campbell was the pick of the bowlers with 3/19 from eight overs.
Langwarrin’s top order did the job for them.
Simon Parrott found himself at the top of the order and responded with 32, while Matt Prosser hit 44 to be the backbone of the innings.
Andy Johnson was the catalyst in the victory, blasting nine fours and one over the rope in his unbeaten 68 that saw the Kangas make 159 and claim victory.
For the first time this season, it actually does appear that Baxter may miss the finals.
On Saturday, it lost its fourth game of the season. This time it was to Sorrento. It was Sorrento’s second win of the season.
With just four matches left in the home and away season, the reigning premier is going to start from a fair way back. It will start 20 points behind and faces Pearcedale, Mornington (4th), Langwarrin (top) and Mt Eliza (third).
It won’t be easy for Baxter but it should beat Pearcedale and Langwarrin is their bunny side. If it can beat Mornington also, then they would be right in the mix.
On form, however, things would need to change a lot.
The top three made some runs on Saturday but again none of them went on with it – Brittain 33, Warwick 31 and Rule 33. Justin Bridgeman was rolled for five and Dale Irving for 9.
Baxter finish 9/169. Bobby Wilson was the best of the Sorrento bowlers with 4/28.
Sorrento needed all of its overs (40) to score 7/170 and claim a one-run victory.
Jedd Falck scored 45 and Liam O’Connor 44 for the Sorras while Corey Harris hit 30, as did Chathupama Gunasinghe. It was enough to claim the win.
Mt Eliza smashed bottom of the table Crib Point.
The Mounties batted first and made 144 with Justin Grant top scoring with 36.
In reply, the Pies were whipped for 75, Neil Clark top scoring with 27 after being the best of thee bowlers with 3/21.
Lyle House was vintage, snaring 3/9 from eight overs.
In the final game Mornington beat Pearcedale in a non-eventful and low-scoring clash.
First published in the Mornington News – 23 January 2018
