DISTRICT
RED Hill will host Main Ridge in one MPCA District Semi Final while Somerville and Seaford will go head to head in the other after all four sides won in the final home and away game on Saturday.
While five teams were vying for two top four positions heading into the final game, the equation was pretty simple for those under pressure, Seaford and Main Ridge.
Their fate was in their own hands and a victory was enough to ensure they made the top bracket.
And win they did, Seaford travelling to Boneo and getting the job done there while Main Ridge pumped Seaford Tigers.
Carrum, Mt Martha and Baden Powell were the other three sides with an opportunity to play finals should the cards fall their way.
The Lions beat Delacombe Park and Mt Martha beat Flinders, so they were ready to pounce should the others have coughed things up.
Baden Powell had the unenviable task of playing Red Hill and as expected, fought hard but fell short.
At the other end of the scale, Hastings lost their match against Somerville and will be relegated to Sub District grade next season.
Delacombe Park will be very happy that the season is finally over after a horrible season.
Coming off flag favouritism last season, the Parkers had a season they’d rather forget. On Saturday against Carrum, they were great with the ball and restricted the Lions to 9/110 off 40 overs. Chris Brittain was back and snared 3/25 while his brother Ben snagged 2/12 from seven overs.
Josh Dent top scored for the Lions with 25.
When it came time to chase down the 111 for victory, the Parkers couldn’t offer any resistance, rolled for 86 in 29 overs. Jon Guthrie top scored with 26.
Jackson Fry was the pick of the Lions’ bowlers with 4/23.
Baden Powell put the pressure on the ladder leaders Red Hill and set them a target of 185 for victory after scoring 6/184 in their 40 overs. Rhys Elmi starred again for his side with an unbeaten 93.
However, the Hillmen really did cruise to the line, getting the target with five balls to spare.
Simon Dart top scored with 68 while Matt Merifield was among the runs again with 39. He finished with 349 runs for the season. His skipper Dart scored 641.
Boneo set Seaford 138 for victory and they did it with three overs to spare (5/141).
Nick Simpendorfer top scored for Seaford with 29.
Somerville was made to work hard for its victory against Hastings.
The Eagles batted first and made 138 from its 40 overs. Leigh Lowry top scored with 46, while there were 31 extras.
Liam Bradshaw and Mitchell Floyd snared 3/19 and 3/30 respectively.
In the chase, the Blues looked a chance with Tim Birch (45) and Aaron Vinson (20) together at the crease but when they went, the Blues lost 5/2.
Matty Roach (5/19) and Aaron Kaddatz were on fire for the Eagles (4/32).
Main Ridge smashed Seaford Tigers by almost 80 runs.
The Ridge batted first and made 7/149, Brad Rossborough top scoring with 26.
The Tigers were then bowled out for just 72 in 30.3 overs. Jason Albress collected 5/16 off 8.3 overs.
