PROVINCIAL
IT was an unbelievable day in MPCA Provincial cricket on Saturday.
While the highest score for the day was a staggering 136, arguably the peninsula’s greatest ever player, Long Island’s Scott Phillips, was single handedly tearing up Heatherhill.
The all-rounder snared nine wickets in a day, eight in the first innings and one in the second to have the Hills reeling at Bruce Park.
Although heavy rain threatened matches across the peninsula, five of the six Provincial games got underway. Baxter and Crib Point will play a one-day match this Saturday after Baxter Park was unplayable for the second time this season.
It wasn’t a good afternoon to bat first with Sorrento recording the highest score for the day with 136.
There were two teams who failed to notch triple figures, Heatherhill being rolled for 62 and Pines skittled for 99 against Langwarrin.
It was yet another Saturday however that belonged to Scott Phillips.
Fresh from choosing not to represent the association at Country Week, Phillips tore through Heatherhill, taking the first four wickets before Andrew Tweddle chimed in. Phillips then took the next four before Tweddle took the last of the innings.
Phillips would be an unbackable favourite for the Wedgewood medal. Has there been another player dominate with both bat and ball like Phillips has this season?
The master has made almost 500 runs this season at an average about 50 and taken 38 wickets at an average of 10.3.
After rolling the Hills for 62, Long Island blasted a quickfire 4/132 before sending the home side back into bat. At stumps they were 2/86, a lead of just 16.
Sorrento made the highest score of the round, scrambling to 136 against Moorooduc.
While Nick Jewell top scored with the bat for the Sorras with 42, Jack Kennedy was the chief wicket taker for the Ducs with 4/41. Kenny Cremen was back in the First XI also and snared 2/22.
In reply, the Ducs are in all sorts of trouble at 4/29. Anthony Blackwell has 2/0.
At the other end of the peninsula at Langwarrin, 13 wickets fell at Lloyd Park.
The Kangas rolled Pines for 99 with Nathan Volpe snaring 6/25.
At the close of play, Pines had the home side on the back foot at 3/43. Jake Prosser had done it again, picking up 2/6, one of his victims being his brother Matt, who he bowled for a duck.
Mornington rolled Rye for 116 but at stumps were in some trouble themselves at 2/12.
Luke Popov snared 3/16 for the Doggies while Beau Suffern top scored for Rye with 35.
Leigh Lambert took both Mornington wickets and finished the day with 2/7.
Mt Eliza is on the back foot against Peninsula Old Boys.
The Mounties were bundled out for 119 before POB finished the afternoon on 3/70.
