CRICKET
PROVINCIAL
AFTER a frustrating two consecutive weekends of rain interruptions and cancellations, MPCA weekend cricket returned with one-day action on Saturday.
In the Provincial division, Pines won a tight one against Heatherhill.
After winning the toss, Heatherhill chose to bat first. Captain Kristian Miller was the star for his side, scoring an unbeaten 96 from 104 deliveries.
Miller didn’t get much support from his batting partners. Heatherhill ended up scoring 9/181 from their 40 overs.
Pines openers Kane Hawkins and Nick Christides made good starts during the run chase, scoring 30 and 45 respectively before being sent back to the sheds.
Pines looked in a bad position at 7/131, but late showings from Pat Jackson and Declan Jackson saved the day.
Pines got over the line with two overs and three wickets left to spare.
Red Hill had a good day at home on Saturday. They chased down Sorrento’s total of 180 to claim an eight wicket win.
Red Hill openers Riley Shaw and Chris Dew were awesome. Their 138 opening stand was vital to their side getting the win. First drop batter Simon Dart entertained with a knock of 33 from 17 balls to win the game.
Baden Powell defeated Old Peninsula by four wickets at Overport Park last weekend. Langwarrin also joined the winner’s list with a four wicket victory against Long Island.
Cricket resumes on 13 January after the Christmas break.
PENINSULA
A BRILLIANT century from Bobby Wilson was the difference between Dromana and Baxter last Saturday.
Baxter Park hosted the two sides. Dromana chose to bat first, and made the most of their time at the crease.
Bobby Wilson scored a whopping 111 not out from 104 deliveries. He combined with opener Sam Fowler for a 141 run partnership.
Dromana scored 240 from their 40 overs, giving Baxter a tough task to tackle.
Baxter looked up for the fight, but the run rate slowly got away from them.
Opener Mandadige Fernando scored 70 runs from 71 balls to help put his side in a good position, but it wasn’t quite enough to get the job done.
Baxter ended up all out for 214 in the final over of the day.
Dromana’s Chris Vervoost tore through the middle order at Baxter Park. He took 3/30 from eight overs.
Rosebud picked up a big 83 run win over Moorooduc at home on Saturday.
Rosebud opener Jarrod Hicks got his side off to a good start by scoring 97 runs. He was dismissed by Justin McCleary just short of his century.
Rosebud scored 233, which proved more than enough to get the win.
Mt Eliza bowled out Mornington for just 50 to secure a good win last weekend. Somerville got the better of Seaford Tigers.
DISTRICT
LUKE Hewitt’s unbeaten century wasn’t enough for his Balnarring side to get a win over Seaford.
Skipper Hewitt opened the batting for Balnarring on Saturday. He was awesome, scoring an unbeaten 107 from 118. He smashed 14 boundaries, two of them sixes.
Jake Hewitt also played well. He scored 36 from 50 deliveries.
Balnarring set Seaford a target of 186 to score to win.
Dil Pageni took control of the run chase early with a quickfire 27 from 17 balls. He was dismissed but his batting partner, Ryan McQueen, stayed in by playing a more patient game.
McQueen scored 75 from 78 deliveries. He combined with number three batter Aaron Bardwell for a 124 run partnership.
Seaford ended up reaching their target with six wickets to spare and more than four overs left to play.
Some excellent bowling secured Carrum Downs a huge 104 run win over Main Ridge. Crib Point also were comfortable winners on Saturday – the Magpies beat Flinders by 78 runs.
Carrum closed out the round with a seven wicket victory over Delacombe Park.
SUB DISTRICT
TOOTGAROOK picked up an impressive win over Pearcedale on Saturday in the final round before the Christmas break.
Pearcedale was sent in to bat first, and played well. They scored 8/189 from their 40 overs. Jett Williams top scored with 43, and Patrick Beckham scored 42.
Faced with a difficult run chase, Tootgarook proved up for the task. Robert French opened the batting and scored 61. Number four batter Matthew Whelan sealed the seal with a brilliant knock of 93.
Scott Sterling hit the winning runs to secure his side a hard-fought six wicket win.
Skye chased down Hastings’ total of 149 to win away from home on Saturday. Boneo got the better of Ballam Park in a scrappy contest, and Mt Martha picked up a four wicket win over Tyabb.
Rye defeated Frankston YCW to bring the round to a close.