SUB-DISTRICT
HASTINGS has won the last ever MPCA Sub District Grand Final, humiliating Frankston YCW by more than 100 runs.
And for the township of Hastings, it was more about adding a cricket pennant to the footy pennant it won last season.
The Blues bowled out the Stonecats for just 99 on Sunday after posting a score of 214.
The game was looking to be an intriguing battle at the end of the first day’s play on Saturday night.
In a see-sawing opening day which saw both sides have their purple patches, Hastings were 7/189 at the close of play.
The Blues added a further 25 runs in 12 overs on Sunday at the resumption of play before being all out for 214.
Nathan Hunt resumed at 34 on day two for the Blues and finished with 44.
After being in some real trouble at 2/16 early on day one after winning the toss and batting first, Hastings’ Jake Hewitt and skipper Rob Hearn were able to stem the tide for the Blues and get the game back on their terms. As it turned out, it proved to be a match winning partnership.
At tea, after 44 overs the Blues were looking in control at 2/113 with Hearn on 58 and Hewitt on 42.
However, after a 99-run partnership, Hearn was out for 60.
Luke Hewitt became Brett Hudgson’s second wicket two runs later and when Jake Hewitt was run-out for 50, the Blues were in a spot of bother at 5/134.
Jake Hewitt was the second run out of the innings after Mitchel Floyd was run out for one with the score on 16.
By the end of the first day’s play, Hudgson had taken four wickets for the Stonecats. His on the spot bowling made things happen and he was able to get his side back into the contest.
YCW skipper Andrew Kitson finished with 3/45 while Hudgson finished with 4/23.
While the Blues’ score wasn’t huge, it was still 200-plus on the board that needed to be chased down.
By 3pm on Sunday, the Stonecats were reeling with the dangerous Lai Leaunoa out for two and Kip Mulvogue, Joe Gotts and Jason Bedford back in the sheds. At tea the score was 4/46.
Things didn’t improve a lot for the Stonecats, Hastings’ Isuru Dias claiming 5/38 as his side rolled the opposition for less than 100.
What a year for Jake and Luke Hewitt – a cricket premiership to follow and footy premiership in September.
First published in the Mornington News – 21 March 2017
