By Lachlan Mitchell
PROVINCIAL
The sweet-smell of grand final atmosphere was in the air for the MPCA on Saturday, and Provincial saw Old Peninsula and Sorrento go head to head for glory.
The Pirates were looking to bounce back after losing four of the last 12 grand finals.
Sorrento won the toss and sent the Pirates into bat.
Old Peninsula opener Dylan O’Malley (44) got his side off to a blistering start putting on a 44 first-wicket stand with Ben Stewart (12).
Thomas La Brooy (79) blasted eight boundaries to reach 7/217 at the end of their 40 overs.
Sorrento had to contend with William Crowder who finished with 5/26 helping dismiss the Sharks for 180. Sorrento falling 37 runs short of the target.
PENINSULA
Pines was in red-hot form coming into its grand-final against Somerville at Eric Bell Reserve.
But Pines was soon on the back-foot early after Damien Lawrence fell for five leaving the score at 1/12. The task was left up to Billy Humphrey (29) and Patrick Jackson to save the innings.
Pines had to contend with Aaron Kaddatz, who took 5/26 to help clean up the Pines tail.
Somerville’s chase didn’t go to plan, quickly falling to 3/38 after Brenton Alp was dismissed for 23.
Jack Kennedy (36) tried his best down the order to help his side over the line but was dismissed for 36. Somerville all out for 119 .
Billy Humphrey finished with 4/30 which included three maidens. Pines proving too strong winning by 39 runs to claim victory and a spot in Provincial next season.
DISTRICT
Dromana and Carrum Downs played a nail-bitter at Dromana Reserve, with Dromana winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The Grasshoppers had their backs against the wall early after two costly run-outs dismissing both openers.
When Shane Deal dismissed Adam Ciavarella for 6, the Grasshoppers were in dire straights falling to 3/38.
Another run-out saw them drop to 4/53.
Jack Fowler was called upon to steady the sinking Dromana ship and did just that with an unbeaten 74. Fowler helped his side to 7/165.
The Cougars chase started well with opener Brad Lockhart (24) getting his side going. Robert Johnston (30) was injected to the crease to stabilise the middle order.
Nathan Harford (2) and James Quarmby (6) both found themselfes heading back to the pavilion ,for not much after being caught short of the crease adding to their sides woes of the day .
The wheels on the Carrum Downs cart quickly fell off thanks to a Jye Voelkl 2/37. Carrum Downs falling 10 runs shy of the total.
Dromana are back where they belong as they are crowned District 1st champions.
SUB DISTRICT
Seaford was looking to break back into District Division when they played host to Tyabb at R.F Miles Reserve.
Seaford won the toss and elected to bat, but the day didn’t get off on the right foot losing opener Dil Pageni for three. Fellow opener Aaron Bardwell (60) soon found his form at the right end of the season.
Aaron combined with his brother Jacob to put on an 81-run partnership that helped the home side reach a 215-run total.
Tyabb started well with a 55-run opening partnership, but the Yabbies quickly fell to 3/57 bringing on a middle order collapse.
Ben Wilson and Andrew Smith taking two wickets each to halt the Tyabb batting attack. Tyabb fell 64 runs short of the total, leaving Seaford to take the flag.
