Two ties in thrilling opening round of CSB Division 1
Mordialloc and Aspendale, and Mentone and Brighton District could not be split in a thrilling first round of Cricket Southern Bayside.
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Mordialloc and Aspendale resumed their fierce cricketing rivalry on Saturday – and their Round 1 match in Cricket Southern Bayside ended with no victor.
The teams fought out a low-scoring tie, 123 apiece, after Mordi squandered a strong position in their run chase in Division 1.
Remarkably, Mentone and Brighton District also tied, just as they had in their season-starting clash last season.
Mordialloc and Aspendale had last played each other in the VTCA South A section grand final at Chelsea in 2005-06, according to Bloodhounds president Jamie Walker.
They went their separate ways from there, the distance widening when Mordi joined the Dandenong association.
Mordialloc was 1-82 on Saturday but Aspendale struck back through two former AFL-listed footballers – Brett O’Hanlon, who took 3-19 off eight overs, and Liam Hulet, who captured 4-15 off 6.4 overs.
With scores level Hulet knocked over No 11 Lucca Parkinson to tie it up.
“To their credit they came back and bowled very well, and put pressure on,’’ Walker said of the Dales.
“One or two rash shots from us from that pressure, but that’s what Mordialloc and Aspendale is … it’s never over until it’s over. It was very nervous at the end there but it had been building with about 12 overs to go … a few runs, a wicket, a few runs, a wicket.’’
Newcomer Insaf Iqbal took 4-31 off seven overs for Mordi as Aspendale was dismissed one ball shy of its 40 overs.
The hosts got themselves in a good position from top three Brendan Morris (18), Harrison Scott (28) and Ryan Morris (28). From 3-90 only Iqbal (18) got into double figures as the clubs, former Federal association foes, split the points.
At Dendy Park, Mentone No 10 Ben Turnbull hit a single off the last ball of the match to level the scores against Brighton District.
District spinner Paul Gould delivered an eventful final over. The Tigers needed seven to win off it but Gould (2-27) grabbed wickets with the fourth and fifth balls.
“A pretty crazy way to start the season,’’ Mentone senior man Simon Cormie said. “But it just goes to show the competition is going to be pretty tight, I reckon.’’
District had raised 4-149 off its 40 overs, led by opener Paul Lasky’s 77. He started slowly but got a shake-on in the late overs.
Cormie thought Lasky played well, and said Mentone needed someone to play similarly and go past 50. But no Tigers made the most of their starts. Blake Thompson scored 38 and Gavin Brown 37.
McKinnon handed CSB newcomer Dingley a defeat, hitting 6-208 and holding the Dingoes to 5-186 at McKinnon.
A second-wicket partnership of 105 between Daham Liyanage (77) and opener Michael Hargood (67) was a highlight of the match.
Liyanage put away 3 sixes and 2 fours to give the Heat the impetus to go past 200.
Cory Booth and Calvin Barlow booth two three wickets for the visitors, who spilt four catches and sprayed 12 wides.
Quickie Milan Rathnayaka in particular could feel let down by the drops.
Dingley put in a respectable chase, with opener Bevin Corneille clipping 64 on debut for the club. But the Dingoes took a heavy blow when the free-scoring Luke Spears was run out for 24, and the McKinnon bowlers tightened the screws from 30 overs. Booth made 40.
“We were undisciplined in the field and we were brave enough in the chase but we just didn’t do enough when we needed to,’’ skipper Damien Jordan said.
The Dingoes gave a First XI debut to 16-year-old paceman Ethan Hardeman, and he was handy with 0-13 off three overs. Jordan says he is a good prospect.
In the remaining match, St Brigids St Louis (6-130) answered Chelsea’s 129, with Lochie Brodie playing an important hand of 39 not out. Michael Meehan and Tristan Harris both took three wickets for the Saints.
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