SECA Longmuir Shield: Harris, Diggle hit centuries for East Sandringham

It’s been a tough season for East Sandringham but it’s still in finals contention in the South East association after a thumping win over Brighton Union.

It’s been a strange sight in the South East Cricket Association this season.

To glance at the Longmuir Shield ladder and see East Sandringham in the lower rungs has taken some getting used to – not that its rivals are complaining.

East Sandy have been the standard-bearer of the competition for a long time and their struggles this season have brought little sympathy from opponents.

But their thumping win over Brighton Union on Saturday, highlighted by a hefty partnership from Chris Diggle and Matt Harris, has them back in finals reckoning.

They’re on 27 points, nine away from fourth-placed Union, with matches against Bentleigh ANA, West Bentleigh and Le Page Park to come.

East Sandringham defeated Bentleigh Uniting in last season’s grand final, but from that side it lost decorated veterans Luke Dallas and Mark Deveraux, as well as all-rounder Billy Phelan.

On top of that, club great Guy Martyn (coaching Uni Blues in VAFA Premier) hasn’t always been available and Pat Inglis has moved to Queensland; according to Diggle, the captain, it has left the side short on experience.

“The results haven’t gone our way, but we’ve been in every single bar one and haven’t found a way to get over the line,’’ Diggle said.

Guy Martyn and Matt Harris in last season’s grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Martyn played against Union on Saturday at Chisholm Reserve and slapped 38 not out off 15 balls.

That was after Harris and Diggle put on 240 for the second wicket.

Harris hit 119 off 108 balls, including 17 fours and 3 sixes.

Diggle’s 123 came off only 95 deliveries and he cuffed 13 fours and 1 six.

East Sandringham powered to 4-306 off only 37 overs (the game started late after sprinklers left water on the outfield).

Union put in a commendable run chase, reaching 5-244 thanks to Cranbourne Meadows recruit Vishalbir Thind’s blast of 105 not out off only 60 balls. He cracked 6 sixes and 8 fours.

Diggle said Harris was a “very good player’’ and had received approaches from Premier clubs but for the moment was happy to play at East Sandy.

Diggle was at Premier clubs Prahran and Kingston Hawthorn before joining East Sandringham last season, when he peeled off 625 runs at 52.1.

“The last couple of years, I’ve never had more fun playing cricket in my life,’’ he said.

“It’s easier to make runs when you’re enjoying it. It’s unreal.’’

In a first-versus-second encounter, Bentleigh Uniting had the better of Elwood, making 6-193 and holding the Woods to 9-171.

Classy Trent Cody was player of the match, opening the innings and batting through for 104 not out off 130 deliveries.

Veteran former Sri Lankan first-class player Hemantha Alles crafted 72 off 80 balls and then grabbed 5-10 off seven overs as Kingston Heath (7-219) saw off Bentleigh ANA (146).

Young Luke Domashenz (54) top scored for ANA.

Le Page Park (8-214) held out West Bentleigh (7-198), for whom Jack Macleod blitzed 69 off 62 balls, with 3 sixes.

Promoted after winning the Woolnough Shield, West Bentleigh is on the bottom after a handy start to the season.

In Quiney Shield, Cheltenham Park’s Zach Rattray was at it again, cracking a whirlwind century against East Sandringham.

Rattray hit 15 sixes and 5 ways on his way to 131 off 53 balls.

Earlier in the season he thrashed 120 not out off 42 balls against Bentleigh Uniting.