PENINSULA
BOOM Somerville recruit Jayde Herrick guided his side to a round one victory against reigning premier Red Hill in MPCA Peninsula cricket.
The former Victorian Bushrangers paceman opened the batting and scored 41 at the top of the innings, helping the Eagles to 156 after winning the toss and batting first.
Andrew West provided some middle order support with 22 while Jay Parker came in at the end and added a valuable 18 runs.
The Colletts were reunited at the Hill with Tom opening the bowling after returning from Kingston-Hawthorn for a return of 3/27, while his brother Glenn bowled eight overs for 0/29. Jimmy McCall claimed 3/11 from eight overs to be the pick of the bowlers while Simon Dart snared a couple.
Herrick then came out with the one-day white ball and was sensational, snaring 3/12 from eight overs to highlight how dominant he is going to be this season. Sean Parker and Cameron Mills both picked-up two wickets as the home side ripped through the Hillmen, bowling them out for just 56. Matt Merifield top scored with 15, while Simon Dart was stumped first ball by Craig Black off the bowling Mills.
Main Ridge got its season away to a flying start but it came on the back of no contribution from former Victorian opener Nick Jewell.
Whilst Jewell was removed for two and Shaun Foster didn’t take part, the Ridge was still able to get the job done against Flinders by 13 runs, 7/193 to 5/180.
It was the work of Travis Barker (62) and league legend Gareth Wyatt (67) who steered the Ridge to victory in the middle order.
In reply, the Sharks started well with Mason Mail opening with 32 and Tom Clements scoring 76 from 82 balls.
However, the home team’s bowling was tight, led by James Abbott with 3/28 from eight overs.
Long Island chased down the 135 needed to beat Moorooduc, scoring 4/136 with nine overs to spare.
Skipper Aaron Paxton top scored with 43, Brad Baily scored 22 and Michael Burke was unbeaten on 28 when the winning runs were scored.
Earlier, Jake Middleton picked-up 4/27 from his eight allotted overs, while Lachy Dobson did not pick up a wicket on debut for the Islanders.
Pines got its season away to a positive start under new coach Adrian Mack, winning comfortably against Delacombe Park.
After being sent into bat, the Piners made 7/183, Ash Hupe top scoring with 52, Harley Peace-Stirling hitting 40 and Chris Bartczac helping himself to 37.
In reply, the Parkers were never in the hunt, Pat Jackson opening the bowling for Pines with a return of 3/26, while Nick Wilcox snared 2/13 from 5.2 overs. Harley Parker and Connor Jackson picked up two wickets each.
First published in the Mornington News – 10 October 2017
