PENINSULA Old Boys lost the unlosable on Saturday, skittled by Heatherhill 20 runs short of its target in MPCA Provincial Shield.
Defending just 166 at Bruce Park, the Hills bowlers were sensational, led by Joe Rule, whose unbelievable 4-0 included a hat-trick.
Put simply, Rule ultimately won the Hills the match. At 6-125, the top-of-the-table Old Boys appeared to be cruising to the total. Glen Prendergast was at the crease on 38 and Andrew Parsons was at the other end in his 40s.
Enter Rule. In just 2.4 overs, Rule knocked over Prendergast, Adam Jones, Neil Franks and Adam Gailitis to have them all out for 140.
In other games, Baxter stormed back into the top four and straight into second place on the MPCA Provincial Shield ladder by steamrolling Mt Martha on Saturday.
Defending a big score of 276, the home side rolled the Reds for just 154. Tim Bateman was the best of the Mt Martha run scorers with an unbeaten 50. Marc Uccello was super for Baxter with 3-26 and Dale Irving claimed 2-24.
There was just four points separating the sides in fifth and sixth position before the game. The win takes Baxter to second, while Mt Martha drops to seventh.
Hastings has shot into contention for the finals by picking up an outright victory against Ballam Park. However, there is a cloud over the Blues.
The Knights scored 91 last week, before Hastings made 5-144 and sent the home side back in to bat. In its second innings, Ballam Park was bowled out for 111. The Blues collected the 60-odd runs needed for the outright with just two wickets down.
The cloud over the Blues is an alleged breach. There were reports on Saturday morning that the Blues were again under investigation by the MPCA for a breach of the player points system.
It is alleged that recruit Danny Heylbut, who had a stint in the thirds at Frankston Peninsula Heat in 2009-10 before going to Red Hill in 2010-11, is a four-point player.
Sorrento messed up a golden opportunity to cement its place in the top bracket, losing to Rye by almost 100 runs. It was always going to be a tough ask for the Sorras, bowled out for 127 on day one of the clash. Rye resumed at 0-14 and finished the day at 9-219.
Long Island dropped to third place on the table after copping a flogging at the hands of Mornington. The Islanders were restricted to 9-145 on day one of the match, Mornington replying on day two with 6-151.
Crib Point is just half a game outside of the top four after beating Moorooduc with ease. With the ball in their hands, the Pies were odds-on to defend 243. Luke Herrington made sure that the Ducs were never in the contest, snaring a match-winning 7-20. Moorooduc was bowled out for 96.
The Magpies had another look at the visitors in a bid for an outright, but the game ended with the Ducs on 3-73.
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