MPCA Provincial: Relegation threat ignites Old Peninsula, Red Hill applies wrecking ball to Heatherhill

Simon Dart and Glenn Collett took the wrecking ball to Heatherhill, while the relegation battle took a dramatic twist in an absorbing day of MPCA Provincial.

Old Peninsula bowler Will Forrest takes a return catch to dismiss Sorrento’s Patrick Hall on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Old Peninsula eased relegation fears in MPCA Provincial with a rousing 80-run win over Sorrento on Saturday.

Inspired by a tight spell of bowling by Justin Grant, who took 2-28 off 24.4 overs, the Pirates (205) dismissed Sorrento for 125 to snap a three-game losing streak.

The win lifts Old Peninsula 12 points clear of bottom-placed Sorrento, which is in the relegation hot seat.

Dimitri Mascarenhas’ Sharks need to win at least two of their remaining three matches to be a chance to avoid the drop.

Justin Grant had a good battle with Sorrento skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mascarenhas top scored with 43 on Saturday before being dismissed by Bailey Payze, who removed three of the top five Sorrento batsmen to finish with 3-16 off 11 overs.

Old Peninsula teenager Will Forrest also impressed, bowling tightly with the new ball to take 2-27 off 17 overs.

Grant sent down 13 maidens to build pressure.

At Bruce Park, Red Hill opening bowlers Simon Dart and Glenn Collett applied the wrecking ball to Heatherhill, reducing the home side to 8-16 as it chased 181. Heatherhill was eventually shot out for 40 in 29.2 overs, with Dart taking 6-15 off 13.2 overs and Collett 4-23 off 14 overs. The pair sent down 15 maidens between them. Forced to follow-on, Heatherhill made 7-136 in its second dig, with openers Jonah Avery (31) and Sithum Peiris (33) putting on 57 for the first peg. Dart and Collett took two wickets apiece in the second innings to finish with eight and six wickets for the match respectively. Red Hill consolidated fourth spot, its premiership defence building.

Clutch caught and bowleds and a well-executed run out secured a gripping 14-run win for Langwarrin over Pines in the top-of-the-table clash at Lloyd Park. Pines, at 4-131, looked on track to reel in Langy’s 181 but Matt Prosser (2-27 ) and Sam Prosser (3-34) applied the screws, both taking sharp return catches as Pines’ run chase expired in the 75th over. Langwarrin’s newly selected Country Week paceman Andrew Smith pulled off a terrific run out to have Piners tailender Riki Anstiss short of his ground. Pines opener Declan Jackson batted well for 68 while Connor Jackson (20) and Rhys Chalkley (20) also played well. The win lifted Langwarrin to top spot.

Dromana took the points over Baden Powell in a thriller. Baden Powell’s last pair Mitch Dunn and Taylor Harrison came together with their side at 9-135 chasing 213 for victory, but knuckled down to take the score to 9-207 when Dunn was dismissed by Zacc Klan. Dunn made 51 and Harrison 28 not out. Braves skipper Rhys Elmi made 33. For Dromana, Jack Fowler ripped through the BPs top order, taking 6-86 off 28 overs, supported by Dale Irving (2-20 off 14).

Provincial ladder: Langwarrin 96, Dromana 90, Pines 90, Red Hill 68, Heatherhill 56, Baden Powell 48, Old Peninsula 48, Sorrento 36.