MPCA 2018-19: Mornington batsman Ben Clements cracks third century of the season

Ben Clements caressed his third century of the season as Mornington motored to a big total against Baxter in MPCA Provincial on Saturday.

Mornington's Ben Clements blasted 156 on Saturday — his third century of the season. Picture: Sarah Matray

Ben Clements caressed his third century of the season as Mornington motored to a big total against Baxter in MPCA Provincial on Saturday.

Clements made 156, with 17 blows to the fence and two over it, to bankroll the Bulldogs’ whopping 7-352 off 80 overs after being sent in at Alexandra Park.

He went from 100 to 156 in less than 30 balls.

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It presents third-placed Baxter with its sternest test of the summer, but with champs Chris Brittain and Daniel Warwick, you never know.

Clements went in at 1-35 and departed at 5-297. He shared a 91-run third wicket partnership with Brad McDonald (50) and a 149-run stand with skipper Sam Wiese (62) that took the score from 4-149 to 5-297.

Long Island batsman Pubudu Edirisinghe cuts as Main Ridge keeper Mick Holmes looks on. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Wiese described Clements’ hundred as “supreme’’.

“Once he really got going, he was great to watch,’’ he said. “He’s been so consistent all year.’’

It’s been a golden summer for 28-year-old Clements. He’s scored 814 runs at an average of 81.4 in Provincial — and the magical 1000 mark is a distinct possibility.

Flinders left-armer Matt Burns captured his second seven-wicket haul for the season to trigger a Peninsula Old Boys batting collapse.

Flinders bowler Matt Burns. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Pirates lost 5-17 to go from 2-96 to 7-113 before being dismissed for 189 as Burns collected 7-64 off 31.3 overs, with an astonishing 15 maidens. The swing king tops the competition wickets tally with 31. Eivion Bowen (43), Wade Pelzer (39) and No 10 James La Brooy (30) did best for POB.

At Lloyd Park, Langwarrin routed Pearcedale for 79 in 48 overs and then reached 4-100 by stumps. Leigh Paterson continued his outstanding form when he took the first four wickets to fall, finishing with 4-18 off 12 overs and moving to 30 scalps for the season. Adam Campbell grabbed his second successive four-wicket haul, taking 4-11 of 12 overs, with six maidens, as Pearcedale lost 5-5 to go from 4-48 to 9-53 before Panthers No 11 Sam Frawley cracked 17no. In reply, Langy opener Trav Canavan made 46 (with 7 fours) and Tom Hussey was unbeaten on 35.

A gripping finish is on the cards after a seesawing opening day’s play between Mt Eliza and Sorrento.

The Mounties were shot out for 118 as Adeel Hussain (3-33), Jake Wood (3-39) and Rob Parslow (4-25 off 18) bowled with venom. In reply, Sorrento crashed from 0-31 to 5-59 at stumps, still requiring 60 to win. Sharks skipper Bobby Wilson was dismissed for six as Nathaniel Grieef-Dickerson (2-10) and Scott Tansley (2-14) landed telling blows.

Main Ridge bowler Luke Collins goes at Long Island. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In Peninsula, Baden Powell opening bowler Taylor Harrison took a career-best 7-33 off 24 overs as the top-of-the-ladder Braves put bottom side Crib Point to the sword.

Harrison, who has 25 wickets for the season, demolished Crib Point for 119 after the Magpies were sent in. In reply, Baden Powell, chasing a seventh straight win, was 0-27.

“He bowled exceptionally well,’’ BP captain Craig Entwistle said. “Consistent line and length that challenged the batsmen. With a few dropped catches in there too he could have taken eight or nine.’’

While Harrison, who is a nephew of Braves great John, took a bag, his BP teammates also impressed, especially Nathan Rice (3-30 off 16) and Michael Ballard (0-11 off 16, with 9 maidens).

Long Island is still a chance to play finals after demolishing the Main Ridge batting order for 70. Stuart Swift (3-19), Jake Middleton (3-23) and Kyle O‘Reilly (2-5 off 10) did the damage. In reply, the Islanders cruised to first innings victory two wickets down and were 4-97 at stumps. Pubudu Edirisinghe (41) and Michael Burke (31) batted well.

Main Ridge players celebrate a wicket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pines has set a challenging target for Red Hill after posting 233, fuelled by Damien Lawrence (56), Nick Wilcox (39), Harley Parker (38), Jarred Coad (29) and Harley Peace-Stirling (27). Lincoln Toy (4-43) was the pick of the Red Hill attack.

There was no play in the game between Moorooduc and Somerville due to a wet pitch. It will be a one-dayer this weekend.

In District, Seaford Tigers medium pacer Jye Thornell wreaked havoc with his “wobblers’’, grabbing a career-best 6-33 off 19 overs, to send ladder leaders Heatherhill crashing all out for 170.

Main Ridge bowler Jason Albress. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“He just hits a really good length, I think he only bowled one down leg all day,’’ Tigers skipper David James said of Thornell.

Kieran Lenehan (46), opener Patrick Skelly (36) and Matthew Bishop (23) did best for the Hills. In reply, the Tigers were 1-10.

An unbeaten 51 by Jason Mathers escorted fourth-placed Rosebud to 8-213 against Seaford. Mathers and Jess Hawkins (26) put on 56 for the sixth wicket after the Sharks were 5-108. Pete Doughty (35), Kane Donald (32) and Billy Quigley (26) chipped in.

Young Englishman Wylliam Stanway hit a season-high 66 and shared a vital 10th wicket partnership with countryman Joshua Shaw to help Carrum post 182 against Mt Martha (2-20).

Delacombe Park bowler Ricky Ramsdale snared four wickets. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hastings put up 8-209 against Delacombe Park in a possible semi-final dress rehearsal. Blues No 7 Malith Chathuranga (66no, with 6 fours) batted beautifully against some probing bowling by Ricky Ramsdale (4-68 off 29 overs, with 9 maidens).

In Sub-District, Dromana skipper Kierran Voelkl hit a superb, unbeaten 116 to guide the Hoppers to 7-236 against ladder leaders Boneo.

Voelkl and Ben Bradley-Bridge (74) led a rebuild after Dromana was wobbling at 5-40, sharing a vital 161-run stand.

Fourth-placed Balnarring made 184 against Tyabb (1-1). Tom Hilet made 45 before being run out and Mark Walles chipped in with 32. Aaron Edwards, Nick Taranto and Sam Holland-Burch took two wickets apiece.

Dave Dervan (59) and Ryan Lynch (66) helped Carrum Downs made 8-164 (declared) against Rye (2-18).

LANGWARRIN are the undisputed kings of Twenty20 cricket in the MPCA after securing back-to-back Jack Peacock Cup titles on Sunday.

The Jake Prosser-captained Kangaroos restricted Peninsula Old Boys to 135 and then got the runs in the 15th over, without losing a wicket, with Tom Hussey (76no) and Travis Canavan (51no) putting on an unbroken 136-run stand.