Cricket Southern Bayside: Brighton District snatches finals berth in Division 1

A McKinnon recruit scored a stylish century, while a Brighton District tail-ender played the innings of his life to propel the Dragons into the CSB Division 1 finals.

Luke Heath scored a century for McKinnon on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

McKinnon opener Luke Heath took his golden summer to new heights on Saturday, scoring an unbeaten century in his side’s victory over Parkdale United.

The former Kingston Hawthorn and Ormond left-hander carried his bat to make an even 100 off 119 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) as McKinnon put up 6-204 in the final round CSB Division 1 contest.

Heath shared an 82-run opening partnership with Reece Taylor (34) and a 60-run second wicket stand with Jack O’Shea (18) as the McKinnon total grew.

In reply, Parkdale United was dismissed for 168 as McKinnon’s Ben Porter (3-21) and skipper Brian Kulasena (3-33) made key strikes.

Ben Porter bowling for McKinnon. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Parkdale United’s Kaleb-John Tymko (45, with 7 fours) and Rahul Shanmugam (55, with 5 fours and 4 sixes) produced some exciting stroke play before being dismissed.

Heath, who made seven First XI appearances for Kingston Hawthorn from 2017-18, crossed to McKinnon this season and has been a model of consistency, churning out 484 runs, at 60.5, with a century and three half-centuries.

He will play a key role as McKinnon embarks on its finals campaign, starting with a semi-final against Mentone.

Brighton District No. 8 Tom Williamson smacked a career-best 77 off 52 balls as the Dragons snatched fourth spot with a gripping two-run win over Parkdale.

Williamson clattered 7 fours and 5 sixes to lift the Dragons from a precarious 6-83 and 9-116 to 172.

Paul Lasky’s 40 at the top of the order was also valuable.

In reply, Parkdale was dismissed for 170 off the last ball of the game, with Scott Gordon (3-34) ending it with a caught and bowled, clinching a finals berth for Brighton District.

Man-of-the-match Williamson capped a superb game with 2-27 off 8 overs.

Paul Lasky batting for Brighton District. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jeremy Heys cracked 93 off 92 balls (with 9 fours, 3 sixes) to propel St Brigid’s/St Louis to a 54-run win over Dingley.

Saints opening bowler James Barker grabbed a season-best 4-34 to help dismiss Dingley for 144.

Barker finished the season with 28 wickets, at 14.46, while Heys accumulated 520 runs, at 52.

Dingley missed finals by two points.

Mentone bowler Lee Cormie. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mentone will take a six-game winning streak into the finals after thrashing Clayton District.

Lee Cormie snared 4-27 off 8 overs while Darcy Brown (2-16) and Christian Eva (2-13) nabbed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Mentone coasted to 1-121 off 26 overs, with Simon Cormie (57 off 63 balls, with 8 fours) and Blake Thompson (39no) putting on 92 before Comrey Edgeworth (17no) completed the job.

It was Cormie’s 18th half-century for Mentone and he went past 500 runs for the season in the process.

Division 1 ladder: Mentone 52, McKinnon 45, Parkdale United 30, Brighton District 29, Dingley 27, St Brigid’s/St Louis 25, Clayton District 20, Parkdale 16.