CRICKET

MPCA WOMENS

AFTER a thrilling battle at Eric Bell Reserve on Sunday, nothing could separate Pines and Balnarring.

The two sides have both been impressive in the MPCA Women’s league so far. A win for either would have put them in the mix for the top of the table spot.

Balnarring were sent in to bat first and put a good score on the board. Opener Abby Trezise top scored with 27, with her side going on to make 139 before their 20 overs were up.

Pines were impressive with the bat, but their run rate was what cost them in the end.

Despite a knock of 47 from Jaide Anthony and another good innings from Samantha Ryan (37), Pines could only do enough to snatch a tie. Both sides finished all square with 139 runs.

Things were a little less competitive at Lloyd Park on Sunday. Langwarrin secured top of the table with a good win over Rye.

Rye batted first but could only set their opponents a target of 71 to win. Rye opener Stella Appleford did her best, scoring 40 runs.

Langwarrin made quick work of their target. They wrapped up the win with seven overs left to play and six wickets to spare.

Tootgarook had a bye.

PROVINCIAL

A STELLAR innings of 91 not out from Matt Prosser was the highlight of Langwarrin’s win over Old Peninsula on Saturday.

Old Peninsula set their opponents a target of 147 to chase down to win. Their top scorer was Justin Grant, who scored a half century (51).

Langwarrin lost opener Chris Brittain early on but never looked back from there. Prosser’s awesome innings, complete with four boundaries, got his side over the line.

Langy won by nine wickets.

It was a little less easy for Baxter on Saturday, as they scraped over the line in a low scoring clash with Red Hill.

Red Hill chose to bat first but struggled. They were bowled out for just 96.

William Borthwick did damage with the ball, sending Red Hill’s openers and number three to the sheds and posting final figures of 3/8.

Baxter’s run chase got off to a nightmare start with both openers gone for ducks. They continued to lose wickets, and at 7/58 looked in real danger at letting the game slip from their fingers.

A good late showing from the tail got Baxter over the line, They ended up winning by just two wickets.

In other Provincial action last weekend a half century from Nick Jewell helped Long Island defeat Mt Eliza, and Baden Powell defeated Sorrento by six wickets.

PENINSULA

A BRILLIANT unbeaten knock from Damien Lawrence was the difference between Pines and Mornington at Eric Bell Reserve last weekend.

Lawrence opened the batting and was superb. He scored 91 runs, and batted the whole way through the innings.

Pines set Mornington a target of 197 to win.

A few Mornington batters made starts but none could turn them into big scores. At the end of Mornington’s 40 overs they remained 82 runs short of victory.

Seaford Tigers, Heatherhill, and Somerville rounded out the winner’s list in the Peninsula division last weekend. They defeated Moorooduc, Flinders, and Rosebud respectively.

DISTRICT

MAIN Ridge and Carrum did battle in a nail-biter last weekend.

Main Ridge chose to bat first on their home deck. Their innings went well, with most batters making contributions to the score.

After 40 overs Main Ridge ended their innings at 9/170. Carrum had a tough task ahead of them to get the win.

Carrum lost both openers early, but a strong showing from the middle order got them back on track. Ryan Dyer was their best performer with the bat with a score of 40.

After Ryan’s wicket fell, Carrum still had 50 runs to score with four wickets in hand. They worked hard, but time was against them.

Carrum ended up just a couple of runs short of victory. They finished their innings at 8/169.

Delacombe Park defeated Carrum Downs on Saturday, while Dromana bested Crib Point. Hastings had a great day, smashing Frankston YCW by nearly 100 runs.

SUB DISTRICT

TOOTGAROOK took home the win in a thriller over Mt Martha on Saturday.

Chasing down 108 to win, Tootgarook faced some resistance from the Mt Martha bowlers. A strong opening stand between Travis French and Steven Nelson proved crucial in the end.

Despite a middle order collapse, Tootgarook managed to drag themselves over the line. They hit the winning runs with just one wicket left to spare.

A paltry total of 41 doomed Boneo to defeat against Rye. In other Sub District matchups Tyabb smashed Seaford by 100 runs, Pearcedale defeated Balnarring, and Skye defeated Ballam Park.

First published in the Mornington News – 21 December 2021