PROVINCIAL
DROMANA moved to the top of the MPCA Provincial division ladder with a win over Old Peninsula away from home last weekend. MPCA cricket returned after a lengthy Christmas break on 18 January. Dromana travelled to Peninsula Grammar to take on the Pirates in a one-day match.
Dromana batted first after winning the toss. Skipper Sam Fowler was completely in control, scoring 108 runs to help his side reach a final total of 201 from 40 overs. Sam Fowler’s brilliant century was supported by knocks of 39 and 32 respectively from Jack Fowler and Dale Irving. Old Peninsula battled hard to take down Dromana’s target, but fell just short. With time running short, Old Peninsula was bowled out for 193 in the final over of the day. Opener Benjamin Stewart top-scored for the Pirates with 50 runs. Zacc Klan took 4/43 to help get his side over the line. He took the final wicket to wrap things up. Dromana have now moved into the top spot on the ladder. Pines lost their grip on first place after falling to Sorrento at David Macfarlane Reserve.
Pines was bowled out for 183 by the Sharks. They were chasing a target of 203.
Langwarrin smashed Heatherhill by nine wickets at Bruce Park on Saturday. Baden Powell closed out the round with a win over Red Hill.
PENINSULA
SEAFORD held on for a thrilling win over Moorooduc last Saturday despite some late heroics from Nick Williams. Seaford was sent in to bat first at Moorooduc Recreation Reserve. They went on to score 227 from their 40 overs – Jacob Foxwell top-scored with 70 and Jordan Desmond contributed 45 to the scoreboard.
Moorooduc’s top order struggled badly, and at 7/89 the hosts looked doomed to accept a comfortable defeat. A huge late partnership between Michael Whincup and Nick Williams nearly saved the day.
Williams smashed 89 runs from just 44 deliveries, hitting an incredible 10 sixes. He was supported by Whincup, who scored 41 at a run a ball. Despite their best efforts, Moorooduc ran out of time. They finished up their 40 overs at 7/221, just seven runs short of victory.
Rosebud picked up a narrow 10-run win over Mt Eliza at Olympic Park last weekend. 18 wickets fell during the matchup. Rosebud first drop batter Liam Collet top-scored for the winners with 60 runs.
Somerville beat Mornington in a close one on Saturday. Long Island picked up a win over Seaford Tigers.
DISTRICT
FLINDERS are breathing down the necks of first-place Carrum Downs after a thrilling win over Baxter last weekend. Flinders was tasked with chasing down a target of 181 at Baxter Park on Saturday. An unbeaten knock of 71 by Samuel Field helped guide them over the line. Time was not on Flinders’ side, but they managed to get the job done. They hit the winning runs with just two balls left to spare. The result puts Flinders in second place, equal on points with Carrum Downs. The ladder leaders were defeated by Balnarring away from home on Saturday.
Balnarring batted first and put 222 runs on the scoreboard. Carrum Downs was bowled out for 208 in response.
Boneo beat Main Ridge by five wickets away from home on Saturday. Crib Point narrowly beat Carrum at Crib Point Recreation Reserve.
SUB DISTRICT
TYABB got the better of Mt Martha in a tight one at RM Hooper Oval on Saturday. Mt Martha batted first, and quickly fell to 3/9. The middle order got things back on track. Kyle Bendle came agonisingly close to scoring a hundred. He was caught out off the bowling of James Holland-Burch for 98.
Mt Martha scored 185 runs from their 40 overs.
Tyabb managed to chase down their target with an over and four wickets left to spare. Aidan Pateman and James Holland-Burch scored 27 and 21 not out respectively to help guide their side to victory.
Udara Ravindu top-scored for the Yabbies with 50.
Frankston YCW smashed Skye by six wickets on Saturday. They chased down a target of 131 with 20 overs left to spare.
Rye and Tootgarook rounded out the winner’s list with victories over Delacombe Park and Ballam Park respectively.
First published in the Frankston Times – 21 January 2025