By Nick Creely
MORNINGTON PENINSULA CRICKET ASSOCIATION
REVIEW – ROUND 4
PROVINCIAL
Sorrento sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition with a barnstorming win against Mt Eliza at Emil Madsen Reserve.
The Sharks feasted on the home side, with skipper Bobby Wilson (5/23) rummaging his way through the opposition to roll them for just 92.
The visitors were cautious in the chase – but not under any form of pressure – with a cool and calm hand from Corey Harris (58 not out) guiding the Sharks home with eight wickets to spare.
Tom Baron (1/15) battled valiantly with the ball.
Down at Peninsula Grammar, Old Peninsula flexed its muscles with a dominant win against Long Island.
The win was set up in the first innings, with the home team combining beautifully as a team to post 8/169, with opener Ben Stewart top-scoring with 37.
It was even-stevens with the ball too, with the Pirates skittling the visitors for just 86, with four bowlers taking two wickets.
Despite another fine display from the great Simon Dart, Red Hill couldn’t overcome the might of Langwarrin.
The Kangaroos batted first, and it was coach Matt Prosser (55), Ian Cockbain (37) and skipper Trav Campbell (46 not out) that did the damage on the way to 6/195.
Despite Dart punching out 73 from 102 balls, the home team couldn’t quite muster up enough momentum, restricted to 6/165.
Robbie Lancaster (2/23) was vital to the result with a pressure-filled display with the bat.
In the remaining match, Baden Powell (3/152) scored an imposing seven-wicket win against Baxter (151).
PENINSULA
That’s some dominant stuff from Pines.
The Treemen dismantled Moorooduc by 10 wickets at Eric Bell Reserve in an almighty statement.
It was Ricky Ramsdale (4/17) that stole the show in the first innings, holding the Ducs to just 99, while Damian Lawrence (3/9) was also dominant.
It didn’t take long for the home side to find the runs required to clinch the points, with Lawrence (57 not out) and fellow opener Connor Jackson (41) taking just 26.2 overs and without the loss of a wicket.
Mornington also enjoyed a strong weekend, with the Doggies dominating Flinders at Alexandra Park.
The Dogs batted first, with Anthony Gapes (31 not out) and Tom Panich (25) guiding the home side to 7/146 from their 40 overs.
Speedster Cameron Moon (4/4) proved unplayable in an absolutely brilliant bowling performance, showcasing pace and accuracy to completely take the game away from the visitors.
Wes Hall also impressed with 3/27 from five overs, while Kane Hawkins showed fight at the top with a typically classy 26.
In the remaining matches, Brayden Roscoe (106 not out) crunched a century for Seaford Tigers in their fighting win against Rosebud, while Somerville (5/197) banked a huge win against Heatherhill (8/192) at Bruce Parker, with Shaun Parker (85 not out) the star.
DISTRICT
Champion Carrum skipper Mark Cooper was in fine form as his Lions defeated a gallant Crib Point.
Cooper crunched an unbeaten 91 to guide the Lions to an imposing 4/209 from 40 overs, with Shaun Foster (47) also continuing his consistent start to the season.
Despite some fight from the Magpies, particularly Luke Herrington (45), the Lions bowled the home side out for 166 in response.
Down at Ditterich Reserve, Delacombe Park got the better of Main Ridge in a high-scoring frenzy.
Delacombe got plenty in the middle as it racked up 4/224, with Jonathon Guthrie (79 not out) and Ben Walker (73) cashing in, while Ashley Walker hit a few lusty boundaries on his way to 47.
Main Ridge almost got there in the end, falling short on 204, but skipper Jordan McCulley can hold his head high after spanking 62 not out.
Interestingly, McCulley is yet to be dismissed this season, scoring 32, 18, 38 and now a half-century in what has been a fine start to the season.
In the remaining matches, Carrum Downs (169) – led by Gordon Waterfall (56 and 2/16) – overcame the in-form Hastings (160), while a Kieran Voelkl (86) masterclass guided Dromana (3/159) to a commanding win against Frankston YCW (158), who battled hard through Neil Barfuss (55).
The Fowler boys – Sam (38) and Jack (3/22) – were vital to the result with excellent performances.
SUB DISTRICT
An individual masterclass from Tyabb all-rounder Paul Nelson guided the Yabbies to their opening win of the season at R.M Hooper Oval against Balnarring.
The Yabbies entered the round with a tinge of pressure but delivered a much-needed win, defeating the home side by 48 runs.
Yabbies skipper Rob Hearn won the toss and elected to bat and it proved a masterstroke as he – alongside Aidan Pateman (54) managed to get the visitors off to a rattling start.
But Balnarring clawed back into the contest with Rhys Weiser (2/31), snaring dangerous duo Hearn (39) and Sam Creely (5) to even up the game.
But Nelson found the middle of his bat, crunching 51 to guide the Yabbies to an imposing 7/207 from their 40 overs.
Despite fighting hands from Mark Walles (40) and skipper Brenton Taylor (45), Nelson snared a memorable hat-trick on his way to 4/24 from five overs to close the game out with the home team bundled out for 159.
Malith Chathuranga (3/23) was also vital to the result, particularly through the middle overs, snaring the opposition skipper.
In other matches across Sub-District, Pearcedale (9/145) got the job done – but only just – against Ballam Park (132), Boneo (8/147) also closed out a thriller against Mt Martha (9/144), Seaford (9/181) dominated its clash against Tootgarook (72), while Skye (8/176) impressed at home against Rye (165)
