Hastings beats Frankston YCW in MPCA Sub District grand final to claim another premiership

HASTINGS captain-coach Rob Hearn described his side’s season as “nearly perfect” after it swept to victory in the MPCA Sub District grand final at Skye last Sunday.

Hastings players strike a premiership pose after beating Frankston YCW in the MPCA Sub District grand final at Skye last Sunday.

HASTINGS captain-coach Rob Hearn has described his side’s season as “nearly perfect” after it swept to victory in the MPCA Sub District grand final at Skye last Sunday.

The Blues, after putting up 214, dismissed Frankston YCW for 99 and were 1-29 in their second dig when the Stonecats conceded.

There was still a day’s play remaining, but YCW — trailing by 144 runs — saw no point continuing.

Hearn was batting at the time and began the celebrations.

“I just dropped the bat and gave Mitchy (Floyd) a big hug,” he said.

“It was a feeling of satisfaction and relief I think. We’d got the job done.”

Hastings won the toss on Saturday, batted and put up 214 off 87.5 overs.

Hearn made 60 at the top of the list, while Jake Hewitt (50) and Nathan Hunt (44) also made crucial contributions.

In reply, Hastings ripped through YCW’s batting, with Isuru Dias snaring 5-37 off 17 overs - giving him 30 wickets for the season.

Hastings’ side included father and son, Ben and Devlin Webb.

Devlin, 13, scored 15 not out in the Blues’ first innings and took 2-0 off 1.3 overs, including the final wicket to secure victory.

“Very special,” Hearn said of the unique father-son combo.

“Dev made a brilliant 15no and got two wickets in the semi and two wickets in the final. So he deserved his spot.

“I couldn’t imagine a better thing than playing with your son in a grand final win.”

The Hastings’ side also included 15-year-old fast bowler Ryan McNamara.

Champions: Hastings Blues

Hearn said the Blues had a good mix of youth and experience and their strength was their bowling.

“Definitely the bowling was our strength I think,” he said.

“Even though we posted four or five scores over 250, bowling was our strength. Mitchell Floyd and Luke Hewitt opened the bowling, Luke swings them massively and Floydy bowls pure gas. And then we’ve got Isi Dias who is very experienced, I think he played for Sri Lanka Under 19s at one stage...

“He just hits a good spot, gets the ball to talk and then young Ryan McNamara who bowls good wheels. They all hit good areas regularly.’’

Hearn said the flag triumph capped a near perfect season for the Blues, whose last premiership was the District title under Scott Phillips in 2010-11.

“We had two bad games. Apart from those, someone always put their hand up. So, yeah, almost perfect,’’ Hearn said of the 2016-17 campaign.

“We were brilliant in the final. We fielded well...we got the job done. There was a lot of pressure and a lot of nerves. It was good to see all the hard work during the year pay off.”

Hastings premiership side: Rob Hearn (captain-coach), Aaron Wilson, Mitch Floyd, Jake Hewitt, Luke Hewitt, Nathan Hunt, Ashley Coles, Ryan McNamara, Devlin Webb, Ben Webb, Isuru Dias, Jaysen Bradshaw.