PROVINCIAL
PINES and Red Hill have booked their spots in the 2024 MPCA Provincial Grand Final.
Pines took on Sorrento in a two-day semi-final across last Saturday and Sunday. They had an excellent day one, putting 313 runs on the board and giving Sorrento a tough target to chase down. Declan Jackson top scored for Pines with 65.
Sorrento’s run chase was over before it got started. They lost their first three wickets for just five runs, and never recovered. Sebastian Gotch got his side back on track with a half-century, but his efforts weren’t enough. Sorrento was bowled out for 115, handing Pines a spot in the Grand Final.
Red Hill secured their spot in the season-decider with some excellent bowling. Red Hill scored only 146 runs on day one. Skipper Chris Weeks scored a vital 73, which proved to be the difference.
Langwarrin struggled badly on day two. They were bowled out for just 73, dooming them to defeat. Pines will take on Red Hill in a two-day match this weekend.
PENINSULA
MT ELIZA and Dromana will clash in the Peninsula division Grand Final this weekend.
Mt Eliza defeated Somerville in the semi-final last weekend. Half-centuries by Lahiru Opatha, Josh Goudge, and Jean-Luc Talbot helped get them over the line at Emil Madsen Reserve. Chasing a target of 250, Somerville was bowled out for just 169. Tom Baron barrelled through the top order on his way to final figures of 5/50.
Dromana defeated Rosebud by eight wickets to book their Grand Final place.
Rosebud batted first on their home deck, but was bowled out for 140. Both of their openers were dismissed for a combined total of just four runs. Dromana reached their target after 43 overs with eight wickets to spare. Sam Fowler top-scored with an unbeaten 58.
DISTRICT
CRIB Point beat Carrum Downs in a high scoring semi-final match last weekend.
Carrum Downs batted first on Saturday. They fell quickly to 2/1, but managed to steer things back in the right direction. Skipper James Quarmby took the game by the scruff of the neck. He scored an unbeaten 104 from 147 deliveries to help guide his side to a final total of 8/239.
Crib Point had to work hard, but managed to chase down their target. They achieved victory with three wickets to spare and five overs left to play. Spencer Wilton and Blake Hogan-Keogh both scored half-centuries for the Magpies. Crib Point will play Seaford in the Grand Final this weekend. Seaford beat Carrum comfortably to claim a Grand Final spot.
SUB DISTRICT
MT Martha will head into this weekend’s Grand Final with momentum after smashing Skye by 190 runs in the semi-final. Mt Martha batted first last Saturday, and scored 240 runs. That total proved more than enough to win.
A massive collapse cost Skye any chance of winning. They lost 7/15 to close out their innings – their final total was only 50 runs.
Thomas Walker dominated on day two – he took 5/18 off nine overs. Evan Williams took three wickets as well. The other Sub District semi-final was a blowout too. Boneo beat Tyabb by 96 runs to advance to the big dance.
First published in the Mornington News – 19th March 2024
