PROVINCIAL
LANGWARRIN’S highest ever run scorer, Simon McEvoy, turned back the clock on Saturday on the first day of the 2015-16 Provincial season, scoring an unbeaten 83 to guide his side to a shock win against Mornington.
The Kangaroos, under the guidance of new coach Travis Campbell and assistant Jake Prosser, who returned from Pines, headed to the kennel with an inexperienced team which featured debutants Aaron Edwards and Mitch Bromley.
It was a completely new-look team, without the likes of Danny Weare (retired), Michael Edwards (Tyabb), Andy Johnson (Carrum), Jake D’Atri (Carrum), Adrian Mack (rested), Mark Cooper (Warragul), Matt Davie (Hawthorn-Monash) and Dwayne Doig (Cardinia) – all of whom were in Langwarrin’s best side last season.
The Kangas need experience and leadership this season and Simon McEvoy provided it in spades – with ‘Macca’ actions speak far louder than words.
His team bowled pretty well, led by teenager Andrew Smith, who picked-up 4/27, while Matty Prosser claimed 2/32.
The Dogs set the Kangas a total of 154 for victory. Matt Foon top scored with 45 and Brad McDonald hit 32.
In reply, McEvoy hit 13 fours in his unbeaten knock, while Matt Prosser scored 28 and Bromley 19. The Kangas got the runs with 11 balls to spare.
Kurt Nestor was the pick of the Dogs’ bowlers with 2/8 from three overs.
Former Moorooduc gun Bobby Wilson wasted no time settling into his new environment at Sorrento, blasting 83 to help his side to a three wicket victory over Mt Eliza.
The Mounties batted first and Tim Clarke, who crossed from Flinders, opened the batting with 83. Chris Wisbey, Adam Michelson (Bentleigh), and Russell Fulton all contributed 19 runs.
AJ King was the best of the Sorrento bowlers with 3/47 from 10 overs. Corey Harris and Wilson both picked-up a couple each.
In reply, Wilson opened with 83, Jedd Falck made 33 before being run-out and Ben Tracy made 20 against his old side.
Justin Savio was back and snared 3/37 from 10 overs for Mt Eliza.
Moorooduc too caused a shock loss, beating Long Island by 14 runs.
The Ducs batted first and made 157, Nick Williams top scoring with 66 and Ben Williams opening with 36.
Andrew Tweddle was at his best for the Islanders, taking 6/20 from 10 overs, while Scott Phillips took 2/37.
In reply, the Islanders were bowled out for 143, despite 29 runs from Simon Dignan, 28 from Brad Denny and 24 from Justin Bridgeman.
Darwin recruit Adam Bayly was slick with the rock, taking 4/19, while Sushant Gupta picked-up 3/45.
Peninsula Old Boys smashed Baxter by more than 100 runs.
Matt Hyden belted 74 while young guns Will Crowder made 60 and Tom Labrooy 30 as the home team posted a total of 7/202.
Ben Brittain was the pick of the bowlers in his first game for Baxter, snaring 3/59.
In reply, Eivion Bowen blasted through the Baxter bats, helping himself to 6/26 from 7.3 overs.
Chris Brittain top scored with 28 opening the batting.
Somerville made light work of Rye, winning by almost 100 runs.
Main Ridge recruit Brad Rossborough top scored for the Eagles with an outstanding 91, while Craig Black opened with 59 and Leigh Lowry contributed 36.
Tom Baron was the best of the Rye bowlers with 4/43.
In reply, Rye was restricted to 6/138.
Andrew Hitchener top scored with 43 and Chris Dunn hit 22.
Jarryd Parker was the best of the Eagles’ bowlers with 3/27.
The match between Crib Point and Pines went down to the wire.
The Pythons batted first and made 8/141 in its 40 overs, before Crib Point got the runs in the last over of the day, finishing four wickets down.
First published in the Mornington News – 13 October 2015
