SALE-Maffra Cricket Association sits atop the provincial division ladder after Round 2 of Melbourne Country Week.

The Sharks won the toss against Ballarat yesterday and opted to bowl first at Glen Waverley's Central Reserve.

After stumbling to 6/65 from 24 overs, Ballarat rallied to post 154 when they were dismissed in the 48th over.

Taylor Tatterson was the main destroyer for the Sharks, picking up four wickets from his eight overs.

In reply, Sale-Maffra posted 9/196 from its 50 overs, passing Ballarat's total with seven wickets down.

New Zealand import and opening batsman Josh Rurawhe top-scored for the Sharks with 59, while captain Matt Dowsett made 55.

Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association remains the only other undefeated team in the tournament's provincial division, after accounting for reigning back-to-back champions Geelong in a rain-interrupted match at Carlton's Princes Park.

Geelong won the toss and elected to bat first, only to be all out for 102 in the 42nd over.

Six of its batsmen failed to reach double-figures.

Scott Phillips and Andrew King took three wickets apiece for Mornington Peninsula, with E Vines (21) Geelong's top scorer.
Mornington Peninsula won the match two wickets down, finishing with 122 runs in just 21 overs.

Phillips continued his stellar day, notching 52 runs from 45 balls opening the batting.

After a Round 1 victory in its debut year in the provincial division, South West District suffered a huge day two defeat at the hands of Bendigo.

Bendigo batted first at Kew Cricket Ground, posting 5/288 from its 50 overs.

South West District was all out for 135 in reply.

Bendigo headed back to the crease, managing 5/66 in its second dig.

And a late innings resurgence wasn't enough to stop Leongatha District Cricket Association from slumping to its second loss in as many days.

Batting first, Leongatha was in deep trouble at 9/67, but a last wicket partnership of 103 steered the team to a total of 170 against Murray Valley at Monash University.

Murray Valley reached 9/253 in 48 overs, with Shaun Downie reaching 52 runs after making 76 against Mornington Peninsula yesterday.

In a replay of last year's grand final, Murray Valley will take on Geelong tomorrow, while Leongatha will search for its first win of the week against Ballarat.

Sale-Maffra will look to continue its winning form against South West District and Bendigo will meet Mornington Peninsula.
Bairnsdale, Benalla, Warrnambool and Ferntree Gully were winners in division two yesterday.

In division three, Campaspe/Kyabram, Mornington Peninsula's second team and Sunraysia posted victories, while Central Gippsland and Albury-Wodonga were successful in division four.