PROVINCIAL
RED Hill wrapped up an important win over fellow finals contender Dromana at RM Hooper Reserve Oval on Saturday. On day two, Red Hill was defending a total of 251. Dromana kept touch with their target all day, but fell 23 runs short. After a decent start, Red Hill bowler Brent Martin ran through the middle order. Daniel Ianati nearly dragged Dromana over the line with a brave unbeaten 67 from 96 deliveries, but he didn’t get enough support from his teammates.
Dromana was bowled out for 228.
Martin posted final figures of 5/66 for the victors.
Sorrento had a great day at home last weekend, grabbing an outright win over Heatherhill. Heatherhill was bowled out for just 58 in their first innings, which Sorrento chased down with ease. The Sharks declared for 170, sending Heatherhill’s batters back in to face the music.
Mitchell Bench and Rhys Musgrave each scored unbeaten half-centuries in Sorrento’s opening innings.
Heatherhill fared a little better in their second innings, but was still bowled out. They finished all out for 207 after 61 overs.
Despite four ducks hampering their run chase, Sorrento reached their second innings target with three wickets to spare. Patrick Hall hit the winning runs. A late cameo from Leigh Poholke, who smashed 45 from just 24 deliveries, was a highlight. He hit four fours and three sixes.
Langwarrin locked up another win on Saturday, beating Old Peninsula by 115 runs. Baden Powell beat Pines at Overport Park to close out the penultimate round of the home and away season.
PENINSULA
MOOROODUC beat Long Island in a thriller at home last Saturday. On day one of the two-day clash, Moorooduc had a tough time at the crease. They were bowled out for just 108 late on day one, meaning they would have to bowl brilliantly to get a result.
Long Island chipped away at their target on day two, and at 4/72 looked in pole position. A catastrophic middle order collapse cost them the game. Number ten batter Harry Van Raay did his best to salvage the match, but he couldn’t drag his side over the line. Long Island was bowled out for 107, losing by just one run.
Michael Whincup and Campbell Andersen each took four wickets on Saturday for Moorooduc.
Mt Eliza comfortably beat Seaford last weekend. Ladder leaders Rosebud beat Somerville, and Mornington defended a total of 272 against Seaford Tigers.
DISTRICT
AN almighty run chase by Main Ridge saw them grab a stirring victory over Carrum on Saturday.
Main Ridge faced a huge task last weekend, needing to score 325 runs to get a result. After losing opener Jacob McWilliams for just four runs, Main Ridge began to dig in.
Middle order batter Praveen Fernando proved the difference maker. He smashed 168 runs from 134 balls to keep his side in the hunt. Some excellent bowling by Jake D’Atri, who finished with a five-wicket haul, kept Carrum in contention. Fernando began losing batting partners, and time began to work against him too.
Eventually, with just one wicket to spare on the final ball of the day, Main Ridge hit the winning runs. Fernando and number 11 batter Samuel McWilliams guided their side over the line for a famous victory.
Fernando hit a whopping 15 fours and seven sixes during his innings.
Carrum Downs kept hold of first place with a comfortable win over Flinders on Saturday. They won by six wickets.
Balnarring and Crib Point rounded out the winner’s list with victories over Boneo and Baxter respectively.
SUB DISTRICT
TYABB, Frankston YCW, and Rye will each head into the final round of the home and away season level on points at the top of the ladder, with Delacombe Park just four points behind them.
Tyabb sits in first place after a win against Ballam Park last weekend. The Yabbies didn’t always look comfortable, but managed to chase down a target of 142 with five wickets to spare.
Frankston YCW kept touch with the top of the table by narrowly beating Delacombe Park. Chasing 227 to win, the Stonecats batted right until the end of the day. With 11 deliveries and four wickets to spare, Frankston YCW wrapped up the victory. Opener Kaedyn Hodgson was awesome on day two, hitting a patient 103 from 222 deliveries before being run out late in the day.
Rye survived a scare from Tootgarook last weekend. They won by just four runs, bowling Tootgarook out in the nick of time. Jordan Blades took a couple of vital late wickets to save Rye from defeat.
Mt Martha beat Skye to close out the round.
WOMENS DIV ONE
BALNARRING have been crowned premiers of the 2024/2025 MPCA Women’s Division One season.
Balnarring played Somerville at Somerville Reserve in the Grand Final last Sunday. Balnarring earned their spot in the big dance by beating ladder leaders Tooradin, while Somerville bested Rye easily in their semi-final match.
Somerville chose to bat first on their home deck. After 28 overs they were all out for 95 runs.
Julie Fearns top-scored for Somerville with 40 runs. The tail end made no contribution to the scoreboard, as the home side lost seven wickets for just six runs to close out their innings.
Balnarring skipper Jemma Reynolds opened the batting, and took control of the run chase. She has been among the league’s best this season, and was in fine form again on Sunday.
Reynolds smashed an unbeaten 63 from 72 deliveries to guide her side to premiership glory. Balnarring wrapped up the win in less than 20 overs with eight wickets to spare.
In Division Two, Mt Martha Reds beat Tyabb in the Grand Final.