Eastern Cricket Association: Matty Bremner hits unbeaten century for East Doncaster

Fitzroy-Doncaster premiership player Matty Bremner scored his first century for East Doncaster as it saw off Heathmont in Dunstan Shield.

Matty Bremner batting for Fitzroy Doncaster.

“I’ll never make a hundred in a 40-over match,’’ Matty Bremner told his East Doncaster teammate Peter Dickson last week.

Bremner was acknowledging he was more of an accumulator than a dasher and that the shorter format wasn’t his friend.

The 32-year-old former Fitzroy-Doncaster Premier Cricket opener was wrong.

He made 107 not out against Heathmont on Saturday, his first century for the club – not that he’s holding it up as a thing of beauty.

“It wouldn’t have been great to watch,’’ he said with a laugh yesterday.

“I clothed them around. Couldn’t hit them off the square. Wasn’t great at all.

“But sometimes they’re the ones you’re most proudest of, you’re not hitting them well but you find a way. The week before against North Balwyn, that’s probably the best I’ve ever batted.’’

As reigning premier, East Doncaster was no match for North Balwyn in the first round of the season in the ECA Dunstan Shield.

Dickson thought it was a “wake-up call’.

Bremner helped his team answer it by batting through the innings against Heathmont and contributing almost half the eventual total of 5-222.

There were 13 fours and a six, which the fielder carried over the square-leg boundary in dropping the catch.

Heathmont was all out for 164 in the 37th over.

Bremner played junior cricket for East Donny and went to Fitzroy-Doncaster as a teenager.

Patient, determined and a team-first cricketer, he scored 3120 runs in 134 First XI matches, including five centuries and 14 half-centuries.

Teammates noticed he often did best when he was up against it. That earns respect.

Bremner always kept close ties at East Doncaster and returned there three years ago.

Last year his Fitzroy-Doncaster premiership captain Dickson joined him. They won another flag together.

Dickson was rapt to see his great mate score a century – and was far more complimentary of it than Bremner.

“He batted very well,’’ he said. “He actually batted very well last season without getting the big score he got on Saturday.

“He’s been in good form this season too and really capitalised on Saturday. Once he got in he struck the ball beautifully.’’

He described Bremner as a “tremendous little competitor’’.

Elsewhere in Dunstan Shield, North Balwyn made it two from two by defeating Canterbury, reaching 150 and castling its opponent for 93.

There were starring roles from opener Max Tomkinson (run out for 51 off 63 balls), ace Nitesh Patel (46) and opening bowler Kaushick Maheshwaran (2-9), who whipped out Canterbury openers Steve Seymour (0) and Will Steventon (10).

Rahul Khera hit 71 not out as Old Carey (4-141) swept past Marcellin (9-140).

Brendan Dugan set Carey on the path to victory by making two quick strikes with the new ball.

He finished with 2-21 off his eight overs.

Harry Larkey (3-24 off eight) and Sam Morarty (2-27 off eight) followed his lead.

A rattling century-stand underpinned Mont Albert’s thumping victory over the promoted Glen Iris.

Young gun Jack Woods cuffed 92, with 4 fours and 5 sixes, and opening partner Nathan McNally hit 84 in a 190-run partnership.

It lifted Mont Albert to 4-232 and it shut down the Iris for 132, McNally taking two wickets and Mark Simpson grabbing four.

Coburg VFL player Nathan Boucher top scored for Glen Iris with 39 from the No 3 slot.