MPCA 2020-21: Zacc Klan grabs four wickets as Baden Powell rolls Mornington

Baden Powell is eyeing its first MPCA Provincial finals appearance in 23 years after another polished performance.

Sorrento skipper Bobby Wilson made a run-a-ball 89 on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A four-wicket haul from Zacc Klan continued Baden Powell’s march to its first MPCA Provincial finals campaign in 23 years and delivered a massive dagger to Mornington’s hopes of featuring in the finals.

Klan captured 4-37 off 8 overs as the Braves rolled Mornington for 116 in 30 overs, easily defending their 7-223.

Klan, who has taken 21 wickets this season since crossing over from Dromana, has been a key figure in Baden Powell’s emergence as a title contender.

The Braves’ batting set up victory, with openers Beau Anthony (27 off 22 balls) and Craig Entwistle (51 off 65) providing a fast start before Rhys Elmi (25), skipper Travis Kellerman (40), Harry Maxwell (40) and Josh Waldron (21no) kept the scoreboard ticking.

Rhys Elmi bowling for Baden Powell. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Baden Powell has won five games to sit a game clear in fourth spot. The Braves last played in the Provincial finals in 1997-98, when they won the flag.

Mornington has slipped two games out of the top four.

Tom Baron and Nick Strickland made vital contributions as Mt Eliza stunned Baxter to ease relegation pressure.

In a low-scoring game at Baxter, Baron (27no) and Strickland (25) came to the rescue after the Mounties’ top five batsmen were dismissed cheaply.

The pair dug in to help Mt Eliza eke out 90.

It was more than enough, though, as Baxter crashed to be all out for 62 in 30.2 overs in a major blow to its finals hopes (it was Baxter’s third successive loss, dropping a game out of the top four).

Baron and Strickland made key breakthroughs, taking two wickets apiece, while Nick Baron and Sam Glenn also grabbed two each as the Mounties snapped a five-game losing streak to climb off the bottom of the ladder.

Justin Bridgeman (21) and Chris Brittain (10) were the only Baxter batsmen to make it into double figures.

Old Peninsula’s John Forrest took 1-12 off 8 overs against his former club Langwarrin.

Adam Gailitis delivered a match-winning spell as Old Peninsula skittled Langwarrin for 92 at the Grammer school to extend its lead on top of the ladder.

Defending 152, the Pirates made a great start when James La Brooy dismissed Langy openers Jayde Herrick and Tom Hussey to have them wobbling at 2-20.

Gailitis, in his first game this season, then ripped the heart out of the Langwarrin batting line-up, dismissing Kyle Parrott, Travis Campbell and Matt Prosser in quick succession as the visitors slumped to 5-46.

Justin Grant (3-12 off 5.1 overs) struck telling blows as Langwarrin’s innings expired in the 35th over.

Gailitis finished with 3-17 off 8 overs, with one maiden.

La Brooy claimed 2-22 and John Forrest snared 1-12 off 8 overs.

With the bat, Old Peninsula had an even spread of contributors, with Dylan O’Malley top-scoring with 30 before he was run out going for a second run.

Wade Pelzer (26), Forrest (22) and Grant (16) also chipped in.

Sorrento captain Bobby Wilson made a run-a-ball 89 (8 boundaries, 3 sixes) as the Sharks overhauled Red Hill’s 5-168.

Sorrento was wobbling at 2-12 after the Collett brothers struck early but Wilson rose to the occasion with a class knock, supported by Leigh Poholke (19), Jake Wood (14) and Mitch Bench (15no).

Earlier, exciting Sorrento youngster James Rulach claimed his second successive four-wicket haul, taking 4-35.

Red Hill opener Luke Robertson batted beautifully to make 71 off 86 balls (7 boundaries) and skipper Adam Slack made 32.

Provincial ladder: Old Peninsula 102, Langwarrin 78, Sorrento 78, Baden Powell 66, Baxter 54, Mornington 42, Mt Eliza 30, Red Hill 30.