SUB-DISTRICT: FRANKSTON YCW will play finals for the first time in ages after defeating Carrum Downs on Saturday.
The Stonecats are now in second place on the MPCA Sub-district ladder on 80 points, two games behind Red Hill (104 points).
The fight for the remaining two finals spots is well and truly on.
Balnarring and Rosebud are both on 72 points while Pearcedale and Skye are a game further back on 60 points.
The Stonecats play Red Hill this week in the final game of the season, a one-day match.
Even if the Stonecats were to lose, they cannot miss finals. They could drop to fourth and lose a home final should results elsewhere go against them. Balnarring or Rosebud will possibly miss finals. They play one another this weekend.
However, they both could still make it if Carrum Downs can beat Pearcedale or Tyabb can beat Skye. It’s going to be an enthralling final round.
YCW made 8/308 in its first innings and needed to take 19 wickets on Saturday to win the match outright. The Cougars resumed at 1/42.
Seasoned campaigners Paul Bradley and Andrew Kitson took four wickets each in the first innings to roll the Cougars for 185. Adam Muirhead then picked up 5/9 in the second innings to help dismiss the Cougars for 57 in their second dig. Kitson took two second innings’ wickets.
Skye never recovered from being 2/18 overnight against Balnarring, chasing 270. Leigh Smith was stranded at the end unbeaten on 33 and his side was all out for 134. Balnarring went for the outright but Skye ended the day on 3/80.
Tootgarook found the chase of 256 to beat Rosebud all too hard. Jason Nagel was at his best for the Buds with 4/62 and Brian Doughty snared 3/41 to help roll the Tooters for 166.
Pearcedale and Tyabb played a one-day match, the Panthers getting across the line with an over to spare. In an emotional day for the clubs following the death of young Tyabb cricketer Luke Batty, the Yabbies batted first and made 9/163 from 40 overs. Luke Rus top-scored with 50 and Ben Van Wees opened with 42.
Pearcedale openers Brad Trotter (62) and Matt Cousland (46) then got their side away to a flier with a 79-run opening partnership.
Chris Dew added 33 to help his side to 4/164 in 39 overs.
Red Hill got the job done against Dromana. After making 9/227 on day one, the Hillmen sent the Hoppers packing for 96.
Brent Martin picked up 3/12 from 10.3 overs for the Hillmen while Ross Corfield snared 3/18 from 13 overs.
