MERTON cricketers travelled to South Wangaratta to take on 3rd placed Rovers with both sides needing to win to stay in the finals race.
Merton batting first made 123 all out in the 36th over.
Jai Mackinnon continued his top form with 54, and James Benton 22 rounded out Merton's best bats.
S. Lakmal 3/13 was the best bowler for the home side.
Merton battled hard in the field but struggled to contain the Rovers top order led by captain M. Drage with 66 n.o and opener Lakmal 53.
The home side passed Merton's total in the 27th over; Rovers continued to bat out the overs to finish on 6/178.
Mark Noye with 3/7 and Jai Mackinnon 2/17 were Merton's better bowlers.
Merton now have to finish the season's last two rounds with convincing wins starting this Saturday v Benalla to have any chance to stay in the finals race.
