Bendigo handed Mornington a 97-run thumping, smashed a quickfire 4-67 in an eight-over second innings and welcomed the news that Warrnambool had upset Sale-Maffra by one wicket.

The two results mean Bendigo and Geelong are the only two undefeated teams in provincial group.

That simplifies the grand final equation for Bendigo – win its final two matches against Traralgon and Murray Valley and it’s final-bound. Bonus points won’t matter.

After Monday’s batting nightmare, Bendigo’s batsmen set up Tuesday’s win at Camberwell with a solid performance.

Opening pair Linton Jacobs and Ben Gunn added 91 for the first wicket before Jacobs fell lbw for 35 off 62 balls.

Gunn’s departure for 57 off 78 balls sparked a mini-collapse before Jayden Hicks (32 off 30 balls) put Bendigo back on track.

The remainder of Bendigo’s top eight batsmen all reached double figures – Cam Taylor (12), Gav Bowles (12), Ben DeAraugo (15), Josh Collinson (10) and Adam Burns (17) – as the total passed the 200-mark.

Bendigo’s 9-212 was made to look even tougher when Mornington lost its first three wickets for the loss of just 37 runs.

Adam Burns was at his brilliant best with the ball again. The Kangaroo Flat skipper took 2-17 off 10-straight overs to put Mornington on the back foot.

Chris Dew and Scott Phillips threatened to put Mornington back in the game, but spin trio Liam Smith, Liam Bowe and Cam Taylor turned the screws.

Smith produced his best performance at a MCW carnival by taking 4-18 off his 10 overs. He also took two good catches to claim man of the match honours.

From 3-82, Mornington lost its final seven wickets for just 33 runs to be all out for 115. Two runs outs in the space of two runs didn’t help Mornington’s cause.

After conceding 16 off his first two overs, Bowe recovered strongly to finish with 0-29 off seven. Taylor (2-10 off 3.3 overs) cleaned up the tail.

Bendigo smashed 4-67 off eight overs in its second innings.

“We got off to a much better start with the bat today… getting through that first 15 overs without losing a wicket was crucial,’’ captain Linton Jacobs said. 

“We lost our way a bit through the middle and probably should have scored 30 more. 

“Our bowling and fielding was great again. It was vintage Adam Burns with the new ball. Liam Smith’s spell probably won us the game.”

Other day two results – Geelong 5-231 and 5-53 d Traralgon 96; Warrnambool 9-190 d Sale-Maffra 9-186; Bairnsdale 127 and 2-61 d Murray Valley 93.

Ladder after day two – Geelong 33.11, Bendigo 32.00, Bairnsdale 20.28, Sale-Maffra 20.22, Warrnambool 18.68, Traralgon 18.47, Mornington 7.76, Murray Valley 6.15.

Draw for day three – Bendigo v Traralgon at Yarraville, Sale-Maffra v Mornington at Oakleigh, Geelong v Murray Valley at Ormond, Warrnambool v Bairnsdale at Brighton.