By Brodie Cowburn
PROVINCIAL
THE MPCA season got off to a false start last Saturday, with most games washed out.
A handful of overs were played at Overport Park. Langwarrin scored 4/68 from 19 overs before their match against Baden Powell was called off.
The Old Peninsula Pirates also got to spend some time at the crease. They scored 3/63 from 18 overs before their match against Heatherhill was abandoned.
The remaining games in the Provincial division were also washed out.
PENINSULA
RAIN stopped a nail-biting match between Seaford and Rosebud from reaching its conclusion last Saturday.
RF Miles Reserve hosted the two sides in the one-day season opener. Seaford chose to bat first, and put a strong total on the board.
Seaford skipper Matthew Herbert led from the front, scoring 52 runs before being dismissed. Aaron Bardwell and Jordan Desmond each contributed 38 runs to the total.
After 40 overs, Seaford finished up at 6/220.
Rosebud stumbled out of the gates. They lost two early wickets, and at 2/3 looked in serious trouble. The middle order got them back on track.
Liam Collett and Ashley Nagel each scored half-centuries. They helped their side reach 7/202 with six overs left to play.
With Samuel Jones looking strong, Rosebud looked poised to grab the win. Rain destroyed their plans, and brought an end to play.
The rest of the games in the Peninsula division were called off after only a few overs of play.
DISTRICT
BAD weather and light affected games in the District division last Saturday.
Carrum put 2/78 on the scoreboard against Carrum Downs from 21 overs of play. Rain eventually brought the game to a halt.
Boneo and Baxter were able to take to the field for an extended period before rain brought the game to a close. Baxter set their opponent a target of 159 runs to chase down.
Simon Dignan top-scored for Baxter with a score of 51.
Boneo were well on their way to chasing down their target when they hit roadblocks. Two ducks in quick succession brought their momentum to a halt, and bad light killed the game. After 27 overs the game was called off.
SUB DISTRICT
MT Martha has scored a hard-fought win over Rye to get its 2024/2025 season up and running.
Rye hosted the match at RJ Rowley Reserve. They sent Mt Martha in to bat first, and did well to restrict their total.
An unbeaten knock of 39 from 37 deliveries by Kyle Bendle was Mt Martha’s best. The away side scored 5/160 from 30 overs.
Rye got themselves into a good position, but a lack of time and a middle order collapse cost them badly.
After a shaky opening, Benjamin Ashworth and Adam Ciavarella put Rye back on track. Ashworth scored 63 from 51 and Ciavarella scored 29 from 65.
After Ashworth’s dismissal, Rye collapsed. They lost 6/28, and finished their 30 overs at 9/146. Rye lost by 15 runs.
Jaryd Millington was the pick of the bowlers – he posted figures of 3/36.
Bad weather prevented other games in the Sub District division from being completed.
WOMENS DIV ONE
NOTHING separated Crib Point and Rye at the end of their season opener last Sunday.
The Magpies chose to bat first on their home deck. Opener Tracy Thompson scored 28 runs, and Rhiannon Hewitt scored 24. The Magpies finished their 20 overs at 2/96.
Rye openers Ashleigh Barrand and Samantha Harris helped get their run chase off to a strong start. They scored 27 and 21 respectively.
After the openers were dismissed the middle order struggled to cross the finish line. Three successive run-outs proved to be a major blow.
Rye drew level with Crib Point, but couldn’t land the final punch. They also finished their 20 overs on 96 runs.
Somerville picked up a comprehensive win over Carrum Downs on the road to get their season off to a good start on Sunday.
A 90-run stand between Marlee Black and Julie Ferns helped Somerville put 150 runs on the board. Carrum Downs worked hard to keep up, but could only score 99 runs from their 20 overs in response.
Tooradin had a good day last weekend, scoring a ten-wicket win away from home at Delacombe Park.
After their 20 overs, Delacombe Park had only managed to put 62 runs on the board. Tooradin chased down their target with 10 wickets to spare and 14 overs left to play.
Aimee Mellford did the damage, scoring an unbeaten 46. Her batting partner Cheyanne Cox played an important supporting role.
First published in the Frankston Times – 8 October 2024