DISTRICT
HASTINGS fell to its worst defeat of the season on Saturday in MPCA District cricket, humiliated by Rye.
While the Demons started the season well, its form in recent times has been equally appalling as the Blues.
On Saturday though, Rye again justified why it is in the top four, all be it on the back of a solid performance from Matt Whelan. Unfortunately for the Demons, there is far too much reliance on Whelan. It did win without Zac Stevenson though.
The Blues tried to mix it up and sent Rye into bat after winning the toss.
Whelan came in at three and made 71, while Aaron Vernon, who rarely lets the team down, contributed 25, helping Rye to 8/149.
Isuru Dias was superb for the Blues, bowling seven overs and finishing with 4/16.
Needing 150 to win, the show ended for the Blues when Rob Hearn was rolled by Whelan for 18. Like the Demons rely on Whelan, the Blues rely on Hearn.
Luke Hewitt was back into the line up but he was Whelan’s second victim for eight. There was no hope at that point and the Blues were rolled for 83.
Whelan finished with 3/27 while Vernon snared 3/15.
Seaford Tigers stayed in touch with the top four, smashing Mt Martha.
The one-sided performance came on he back of a dominant display from openers Ash Mills (95) and David James (68). The Tigers finished on an unbeatable (6/249).
In reply, the Reds were ordinary at best, bowled out for just 91.
Skipper Rhys Whitling was the best of the Mt Martha batsmen with 29. Best of the Tigers’ bowlers was Matty Roach, who took the new pill and picked up 2/6 from five overs.
Seaford too made a top two spot possible with a solid win over top of the table Baden Powell.
The Braves made 7/138 after being sent into bat by Seaford skipper Ryan McQueen.
Travis Kellerman top scored for the home side with 48 (off 105 balls), while Rhys Elmi made 42 (off 73 balls). The poor run rate had a massive effect on the final total.
Chasing 139 for victory, Daniel Polson top scored for Seaford with 50, while Scott Manders contributed 26. It was enough to get the visitors to 6/140 in the tense final over. Craig Entwhistle was the pick of the Braves’ bowlers with 3/26.
Rosebud got the job done in the final match of the District round.
The Buds batted first and made an ordinary 127, Pete Doughty top scoring with 34 and Billy Quigley getting 27.
In reply though, Sam Mullavey (27) was the only batsmen in the Heatherhill top eight to score double figures. Despite this, the Hills finished just 10 runs short in the 39th over.
Pat Nagel was the best of the Rosebud bowlers with 4/35 while recruit Janaka Kumarage made an immediate impression with figures of 3/7 from eight overs, including four maidens.
First published in the Mornington News – 23 January 2018
