The MPCA split its first two matches with a victory over the Dandenong District Cricket Association and then suffered a three-wicket loss to City of Moorabbin Cricket Association.

It was then beaten by Ringwood District Cricket Association in a five-run thriller and was due to clash with Ferntree Gully Cricket Association at Hooper Oval on Monday.

MPCA coach Vin Driscoll said his side was largely made up of last season's victorious under-14 team.

"This same team - about half of them - won it last year in the under-14s," he said. "We are a fair bit smaller than a lot of the other teams."

It is unlikely that the MPCA can qualify for the latter stages of the tournament with two matches to go before Friday and Saturday's finals.

Driscoll said the emphasis in the matches against the FTGCA and today's clash against Southern Districts would be the batsmen putting a higher price on their wicket.

"We just haven't made enough runs. We're steady and hopefully we can do a bit better in the next couple of matches," he said.

Driscoll said Rosebud's Jack Pearce-Stirling and Seaford's Matt Herbert had been the pick of the MPCA's players.

In the under-14s, the MPCA notched up its first win of the Russell Allen Shield with a win over FTGCA on Saturday.

It had previously dropped its matches against Ringwood Cricket Association, Southern Districts and City of Moorabbin Cricket Association.

In the under-12 Keith Mitchell Shield, the MPCA has won one match and dropped three.