PROVINCIAL
REIGNING MPCA champion Baxter has started its defence in the new MPCA Provincial competition with an emphatic 34-run win against Langwarrin.
And defending cricketer of the year and league medallist Chris Brittain has taken off where he left us all last season, spellbound by his brilliance.
Brittain opened the innings with Joe Rule (44) and belted eight sixes and six fours on his way to 106 before he was eventually run-out with the score on 173. Baxter went on to score 8/200.
Matt Prosser (2/37) and coach Jake Prosser (2/33) were the pick of the Langwarrin bowlers.
The Kangas were never in with a shout to win the match, despite 50 from skipper Travis Campbell and a wagging tail, which included Simon McEvoy with 16.
Ben Brittain was the pick of the Baxter bowlers with 3/36 from six overs.
Sorrento has started its season as well as it could have, scoring a comfortable victory against Crib Point.
The Sharks won the toss and sent the home side into bat, where Luke Herrington top scored with 46 and skipper Jacob Cook hit 18.
Sorrento skipper Bobby Wilson was superb with ball in hand for his side, snaring 3/17 from eight overs, while new Sri Lankan recruit Chathupama Gunasinghe was wicketless on debut.
In reply, Liam O’Connor hit 49, Wilson 31 and CJ King 33 to guide the visitors to victory in the 39th over, 6/158 to 6/155.
Mt Eliza has put the heartbreak of 2016-17 behind it and started the season in great fashion against Pearcedale, winning with five overs to spare.
Pearcedale batted first and made 8/133 from 40 overs, Shayne Gillings top scoring with 35 and Matt Cousland scoring 33.
A returning Chris McDonough was superb with the ball for the Mounties, picking-up 2/28, while Nick Baron (2/35) and skipper Justin Grant (2/22) also had an impact on the match.
In reply, it’s fair to say that there were a number of contributors without a stand-out in the Mt Eliza chase.
Tim Clarke top scored at the top of the order with 27, Grant hit 22, Keith Biggs 20 and Josh Goudge 19.
Will Kennedy was the best of the Pearcedale bowlers with 2/15 from eight overs.
First published in the Mornington News – 10 October 2017
