PROVINCIAL
After finishing the 24/25 regular season top of the table, Langwarrin have failed to notch a win in their first two matches for 25/26.
They came up against newly-promoted Mornington on Saturday and put up a fair showing to be all out for 158 in the 37th over. The middle order shone for Langwarrin with Brodie Matthews putting on 27 and Taylor Smith 44.
Mornington’s response was spearheaded by captain Hayden Cummings’ slow but steady 62 not out off 112 balls. He provided the backbone for Tom Panich’s 49 and Zac Garnet’s 32 to see the newbies get to 5/163, claiming their first win in Provincial.
Baden Powell managed an outstanding 8/247 in their match against Dromana, mostly thanks to a memorable 110 runs off 106 balls from Luke Long.
Dromana gave it their all in response but just couldn’t climb that mountain. Despite a number of impressive individual efforts, they ran out of batters in the 38th over for 206. Enough to win most days, but not enough on Saturday.
Red Hill remain undefeated so far this season after getting the better of Heatherhill.
Heatherhill batted first and managed a couple of respectable scores with Kieran Lenehan scoring 52 not out and captain Adeel Hussain 37. Red Hill’s captain, Glenn Collett, managed bowling figures of 4/21.
Red Hill never seemed troubled by the chase and got to Heatherhill’s total in the 34th over with the loss of six wickets. Simon Dart was the pick of Red Hill’s batters with 52.
Pines are the other team to remain undefeated this season after dispatching Sorrento with ease.
The Sharks took to the crease first and scored 8/155 in their 40 overs. Opener Mitchell Bench scored 43 and Patrick Hall 44 for Sorrento.
Pines surpassed Sorrento in the 30th over with Nick Christides notching up 44 and Connor Jackson 46 not out.
PENINSULA
It was a high-scoring affair between Long Island and Balnarring in their round two Peninsula division clash.
Long Island batted first and showed a strong top order with captain Aiden McKenna scoring 45 and the other opener, Joshua Swainston, a swashbuckling 88 off 75 balls. They ended up at 6/202 off their 40 overs.
Balnarring’s top order showed little resistance until Xavier Warmbrunn steadied the ship and ended up with 77. Jake Hewitt also contributed 56. Balnarring pipped Long Island’s total in the 37th over.
Somerville remain undefeated after having little trouble with Mt Eliza.
Batting first, Somerville only lost three wickets on their way to 189 in their 40 overs. Openers Kiefer Peries and Nick Mann put on 42 and 87 not out respectively.
Mt Eliza opener Ravindu Kodithuwakku showed some fight with 32, but the middle order collapse left them short at 10/132 in the 37th over. Luke Rowe and Chris Brittain both took three wickets.
Rosebud, last season’s ladder leaders, have begun strongly again.
Seaford struggled with the bat except for two standouts: Jordan Desmond (52) and captain Matthew Herbert (54*). They finished on 7/131 after 40 overs.
Rosebud chased down the total with ease, reaching it in the 32nd over with just three wickets lost. Jarrod Hicks top scored with 63 and Patrick Nagel added 39*.
The final match saw Old Peninsula take on Moorooduc.
Moorooduc had reasonable performances from Raymond Curry (34), Michael Whincup (30), and Benjamin Hansen (28).
Old Peninsula started slowly but Tom La Brooy (44), Justin Grant (59*), and Elias Karageorgiou (25*) ensured a successful chase. They reached the total in the 33rd over, losing just three wickets.
DISTRICT
Carrum Downs are the only undefeated side in the District division after beating Rye on Saturday.
Rye batted first and made 9/177, thanks to a half-century from Manu Goraya and 47 from Waligama Palleguruge. Corey Stillman was best with the ball for Carrum Downs, taking 3/33.
In reply, Danuka ThalaBandaralage posted a half-century and Robert Johnston scored 74. Carrum Downs passed the target in the 33rd over, losing just four wickets.
Main Ridge and Crib Point played out a thriller.
Main Ridge posted 9/157, with Praveen Fernando top scoring on 35. Crib Point openers Lachlan Barton (35) and Matthew Blake (47) led a well-paced chase, reaching the total with only a few balls to spare.
It was a high-scoring contest between Carrum and Flinders.
Carrum posted 6/217 thanks to a dominant performance from Liam Hulett (131) and Jake D’Atri (64).
Liam Wolters made 79 for Flinders, but the side was bowled out in the 39th over, still 15 runs short.
Seaford Tigers batted first against Boneo and scored 7/219. Aaron Mountney made 107 and Anurudda Fonseka 55.
Boneo couldn’t keep up and were all out in the 37th over, 57 runs short.
SUB DISTRICT
Baxter, recently relegated, remain undefeated after two rounds.
They posted 8/190 against Ballam Park, with captain Mark Cooper scoring 42 and James Long finishing on 38* off 23 balls.
Ballam Park’s batting was shaky, with four ducks. Gabriel Lawrence top scored with 62*, but they were all out for 141 in the 34th over.
Tyabb secured their first win after a bye last week, posting 6/210. Udara Ravindu starred with 102 off 98.
Skye had four batters in the 30s and 40s but fell apart late, finishing all out for 181 in the 38th over.
Mt Martha dominated Pearcedale by 156 runs.
Travis French scored 101* as Mt Martha posted 4/233.
Pearcedale collapsed to 77 all out in the 30th over, with only Stefan Bock (46) showing resistance.
Delacombe Park, Frankston YCW, and Tootgarook all had byes.
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE
Of the eight teams in MPCA Women’s Division One, four remain undefeated after two rounds — Mt Martha, Tooradin, Balnarring, and Somerville.
Crib Point, Tyabb, Mt Eliza, and Rye have lost both matches.
Tooradin cruised to victory over Mt Eliza, scoring 3/111 off 20 overs. Aimee Mellford (47*) and Lorna Monk (25*) led the way.
Mt Eliza managed just 67 in reply, losing six wickets.
Mt Martha also won comfortably against Rye, posting 2/141. Katherine Laemmle made a half-century, with Kiera Donald (29) and Caitlin Rawiller (31*) adding depth.
Rye’s openers got them off to a solid start, but the rest faltered. They finished 8/97, with Laemmle also taking 3/16.
Crib Point were unlucky against Balnarring, falling short in a tight contest.
Rebecca Manby (43) helped the Magpies to 6/108, but Balnarring chased it down with two balls to spare, led by Brianna Watson (40) and Liz Leerson (24*).
It was a low-scoring match between Tyabb and Somerville.
Tyabb managed just 9/50, with five ducks. Despite a few stumbles, Somerville passed the total in the 14th over. Marlee Black top scored with 18* and Hayley Stroker took 3/16 for Tyabb.
