Noone saw what was coming as an astonishing 18 wickets tumbled for just 160 runs in the first-versus-second showdown between Laverton Magpies and St Albans at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday.

Magpies' playing president Mark Logan said it was not the kind of scorecard he envisaged when he was driving to the ground.

"It was a funny old day of cricket," he said with a chuckle. "It had a bit of everything.

"We were looking to keep them down to 150 or 200 so to get them out for 80-odd made us pretty happy."

The Saints finished with a sluggish 86 off 42 overs. The rot set in early as they were tied down by Magpie opening bowlers Shaun Delaney (2-10 off 10 overs) and Mark Keenan (1-24 off 11).

Their frustrations were compounded when leg-spinner Mark O'Brien came into the attack for a impressive return of 4-21 off 12 overs. O'Brien has been an X-factor for the Magpies this summer. He's been a mark of consistency with 34 wickets at 10 to lead all wicket-takers in the competition.

"He's been fantastic for us," Logan said. "He's really difficult to play because he mixes it up so much."

The joy generated from the rout was short-lived for the Magpies. They, too, had their struggles with the bat to limp to 8-74 at 6pm. The 38 overs they had to face turned into a nightmare.

"The wicket played differently at both ends," Logan said. "It was two-paced: one end was holding up and the other moving through.

"Neither side would have expected to be in that position."

O'Brien, the hero with the ball, turned saviour with the bat, occupying the crease for 10 overs for 14 not

out.

He featured in a crucial 21-run seventh-wicket partnership with Brad Kelleher (13).

Still, the Magpies are not out of the woods, requiring 13 for first innings points with only two wickets in the bank.

"We bat deep so we're confident of getting the runs we need to get over the line," Logan said.