Kingston Heath wins by a stroke in thriller against ANA

Kingston Heath could thank Nick Waltrich for its dazzling win over Bentleigh ANA in SECA Longmuir Shield.

Kingston Heath wickie Nick Waltrich.

Kingston Heath kept its finals aspirations alive with a thrilling last-ball, one-run win over Bentleigh ANA on Saturday when play resumed in the South East Cricket Association’s Longmuir Shield.

An even batting performance from Heath was headed by skipper Andrew Birt (51) and Anthony Reid (32), with some handy late runs from Luke Schwarze (28).

It enabled them to post 196 on the batting-friendly King George arena.

ANA struggled early and at 4-70 with most of the key batsmen for the Natives back in the sheds it looked like the Golfers would stroll to a comfortable victory.

But experienced Bill Biggs dug in and found a useful ally in Jacob Curry.

The duo added 107 in quick time to have their team on the cusp of a win until Hemantha Alles (who had taken the early wickets) returned to dismiss Curry after a glorious 70 off 62 balls and it was to become a race to the finish.

It all came down to the last ball with ANA needing a run to tie with Alles bowling to Biggs.

Experienced Heath keeper Nick Waltrich removed his right glove in anticipation of potentially having to throw at the stumps on the last ball but instead Biggs, after a valiant knock of 70, got a thick edge.

It looked like being the winning runs until Waltrich intervened, diving full length to his right to snare an amazing catch in his gloveless right hand to steal a remarkable win for his team.

ANA finished on 6-195, Alles (4-27) the key in a wonderful contest.

Top-placed East Sandringham stamped its authority on the competition when it swept aside second-placed Bentleigh Uniting for just 75 at Centenary Park.

Things began grimly for the Lions with both openers quickly dismissed and by the time Tim Edwards had finished his opening spell (4-16 off eight overs) the result was pretty much a foregone conclusion, with Uniting in disarray at 6-36.

Paddy Inglis (3-16) ran through the rest of the line-up and then Matt Blunden (35no) and Billy Phelan (20no) peeled off the required runs with little difficulty after East lost a couple of early wickets.

East Sandy’s Matt Blunden.

Brighton Union had a bright start against Elwood with Weerasinga Dilranga (54) and Aaron Gregory (36) setting the Hoops up for a big total.

But Woods spinner Robbie De Haan changed the game with a brilliant spell, taking 3-17 off eight overs to slow the run rate.

The rest of the Union batsmen could not regain any momentum and they had to settle for 161 with Will McCarthy (3-25) grabbing some late wickets.

The Beach Boys’ response was classy and authoritative as Stuart Clark (72no) and Nathan Harris (66) put together a fine 135-run opening stand, leaving little else for the rest of the batsmen to do as they lost only one wicket to grab a crucial win.

It left the Woods just a game outside the top four and right in the mix.

Mackie got into trouble early against Le Page Park and never recovered.

Jarrod Bradley (3-13) was in the thick of it early and the Machine collapsed to be 5-39.

Matt Withers (28) and Josh Simon (38) hung tough for a while but Chandika Ranathunga (3-18) ensured that the Panthers would not have to chase too many as the Mackie innings was curtailed at 119.

The Le Page run chase laboured but it had plenty in reserve, passing the target at 6-121.

Craig Park (2-24) and Marcus Middleton (2-23) made life difficult for the Le Page batsmen but the Panthers keep their grasp on fourth spot for now.

In Woolnough Shield a superb 190-run opening stand by West Bentleigh duo Chris Fidler (118) and Tom Watson (82) saw West (3-248) have an easy win over Hampton Central (167) despite the efforts of Two-Blues skipper Ned Fallon (75), who is enjoying an excellent season.

CHAG (152) and Washington Park (7-153) fought out a thriller with Gihan Pereira (66) doing enough to get the Sharks home off the second-last ball.

Cluden did well to restrict Carnegie South to 153 with veteran Andrew Williams (4-30) leading the charge but the Cs batsmen could not withstand the pressure applied by the Redbacks pace attack with spearhead Nick Brazil (3-10) dismantling the top-order.

Omega continued its winning ways, amassing 5-262 against Le Page Park with promoted Harry Wardlaw batting through the innings to make a superb, undefeated 107. Ivan Delac (50) and Glenn Beckett (52) added half-centuries.

Flynn McGaw (4-34) ensured there were no miracles restricting Le Page to 197 but the Panthers still had cause to celebrate with club stalwart Edi Melnjak playing his 400th game for the club as well as contributing a typically determined 27.