MERTON cricketers booked a place in the WDCA B grade semi final thanks to a batting master–class from father son duo of Ross and Jai Mackinnon with a match saving 179 partnership.
Greta finishing 4th on the ladder and Merton 5th saw Merton host the last round match with the winner to play finals.
Greta won the toss and batted, smashing the Merton attack being 45 off the first five overs.
However, when Jai Mackinnon took the first wicket, the game changed with the Greta batters' aggressive approach working into the Merton bowlers favour.
Spinner Dave Rankin scored 3/27, leading the way along with Ross Mackinnon on 3/1 off 3 overs, James Benton 1/15 bowling first change.
Henry Berriman with one wicket rounded out the bowling.
Merton's fielding was outstanding.
Led by an amazing outfield catch from Richie Robinson – a one hander on the boundary which would have gone for 6 and a sharp run out from Harry Craddock saw Greta all out in the 31st over for 122.
Greta came to play and really had the upper hand with Merton crashing to 3/10, but when the Mackinnon machine kicked into gear the game changed momentum with quality batting under pressure saw both batsmen play a chanceless innings to pass the visitors and continue batting, seeing Merton become the victors finishing on 4/190; Jai 91 and father Ross 70 n.o .
Top effort by both players sees Merton play in the semi final next Saturday against Yarrawonga at Lonsdale reserve in Mulwala – the winner to play in the grand final the following week.
Good luck boys.
