CRICKET
PROVINCIAL
OLD Peninsula picked up where they left off last season to get their MPCA season off to a good start.
The reigning champions took on Baden Powell at Overport Park in their season opener. Old Peninsula were sent into bat first.
A half century from opener Dylan O’Malley helped Old Peninsula get out of the gates. A massive knock of 92 from Justin Grant saw the champions put the game out of Baden Powell’s reach.
Old Peninsula finished their innings at 7/227. Baden Powell worked hard but were bowled out for 194 in reply.
Wade Pelzer tore through the tail to finish the game. He posted figures of 4/9 from less than three overs.
Grand Final runners up Sorrento also started their title challenge the right way. They defeated Baxter by nine wickets.
Red Hill are on the board for the season after a hard-fought victory over Long Island. Red Hill won with six wickets and two overs to spare.
At Eric Bell Reserve, Pines were narrowly defeated by Langwarrin. Pines were chasing 187 to win, but were bowled out just five runs short of their target.
PENINSULA
THERE were runs aplenty at Somerville Reserve on Saturday when Somerville opened their season against Flinders.
The home side was sent into bat first and made a big impact at the crease. Star opener Brenton Alp smashed 87 runs, showing that he intends to back up his brilliant 2021/2022 season with another big campaign.
Somerville finished their innings at 4/238.
A brilliant knock of 75 from just 47 balls by opener Kane Hawkins kept Flinders in the contest. With the game in the balance, Sam Gove took control.
Gove came in at number three for Flinders and tore the game apart. He smashed 105 runs from 83 deliveries.
Flinders ended up scraping over the line in the final over of the day. They won with eight wickets to spare.
At Alexandra Park, Seaford Tigers chased down Mornington’s total of 168 with five overs and five wickets left in hand.
Heatherhill and Dromana rounded out the winner’s list with comfortable victories over Moorooduc and Mt Eliza respectively.
DISTRICT
AN unbeaten century from opener Aaron Bardwell saw Seaford start their season with a win.
Seaford took on Crib Point on Saturday. Bardwell’s century got them off to a good start, and they went on to make 191 runs.
Crib Point worked hard, and were able to keep touch with their target. A 103 opening stand between Mark Cairns and Tyler Wilton set them up well.
What ended up costing Crib Point the game was time. Their innings expired when they were four runs short of a result.
At Roy Dore Reserve, Carrum bounced back from a 2/6 start to their innings to defeat Rosebud.
Opener Liam Hulett helped his side recover. He scored 67 runs to set his side up for a total of 4/151.
Rosebud came close to chasing down their target, but fell just short. Their innings expired at 6/149, three runs short of the win.
Delacombe Park opened their account for the season with a win over Carrum Downs on Saturday, and Main Ridge defeated Hastings.
SUB DISTRICT
GRAND Final runners up Tyabb began their title challenge with a win over Frankston YCW on Saturday.
Tyabb took on YCW at Peninsula Reserve. Frankston YCW batted first, and could only manage to score 9/123. Malith Chathuranga took four late wickets to close out the innings.
Tyabb chased down their target with four overs and five wickets to spare.
A massive score of 93 by opener Jackson Hannah helped Balnarring score an opening round win over Pearcedale.
Hannah’s 93, coupled with Jake Hewitt’s unbeaten 82, helped Balnarring reach a huge total of 223. Pearcedale only managed to score 141 in response.
Tootgarook’s season is off to a difficult start. They were bowled out for just 98 in a defeat to Boneo on Saturday.
Mt Martha picked up a narrow two wicket win over Rye to start their season, and Ballam Park defeated Skye.
