MPCA 2021-22: Baden Powell batter smashes 168no

Sizzling centuries, big wicket hauls, milestones...there were eye-popping performances aplenty in the MPCA. Here are the best.

Baden Powell batter Zach Smith dusted off the quarantine cobwebs with an incredible century in MPCA C4 grade on Saturday.

He smashed a staggering 20 sixes on his way to 168 not out against Tyabb at the Victoria Park oval in Frankston.

Wielding his new $170 bat, the 24-year-old twice hit four sixes in a row before reaching a hundred.

He also brought up both his century and the winning runs with sixes.

“Oh mate, they were all over cow (corner), I’m not going to lie to you,” Smith laughed.

“It was a small ground but I was hitting them well…it was so good to just be out there playing.”

Baden Powell skipper Rob Bleumink, who made 51 and shared a 146-run sixth wicket partnership with Smith, said Smith’s chanceless onslaught was a “sight to be behold’’.

“It was a fairly small ground but probably 80 percent of his shots would have been six on most grounds,’’ he said.

An astonishing 37 sixes were hit in the game.

Tyabb’s Luke Marotta.

Tyabb smashed 17 of them in its 8-266 off 40 overs, with Luke Marotta dispatching nine over the boundary in his 70 not out.

Smith then powered the Braves to victory in the 32nd over.

Baden Powell’s side include three 14-year-olds, Jaie Bedson, Alexander Stevens and Archie Wyld, who made 11no and helped steer the Braves to victory.

But the day belonged to the sizzling Smith, who surprisingly admitted to some jitters in the nervous nineties.

“(Captain) Bleumy came up to me when I was on 99 and goes, ‘I wasn’t going to tell you but you’re on 99’,’’ he said.

“I said, ‘why’d you tell me then?’.

“I was a bit nervous once I found out I was in 99.

“It’s been a big break, a bit emotional…just to be back out there after all the covid bull s... it was nice to see them well at the same time.’’

David “Scabs’’ Martin.

MILESTONE FOR MARTIN

David “Scabs” Martin played his 500th game for Heatherhill on Saturday — and celebrated with a gripping win.

Playing alongside his great mate Dermott Brereton, Scabs helped the Hills to a nail-biting one-run win over Tyabb.

The 57-year-old went past club legend Graham Ash’s long-time games record of 461 in 2018.

His contribution to Heatherhill is massive, not just as a player, but off the field as well.

Martin has served as club coach, vice president, chairman of selectors and spent two decades on the committee.

He joined Heatherhill in 1973-74, starting out in the under-12s.

DESTRUCTIVE DANIEL

There was almost no stopping Heatherhill opener Daniel Logan-Pulsar, who blasted a career-best 164 against Long Island in A1.

He shared a rapid 93-run second wicket partnership with Jarryd Ward (40) and was eyeing off a double ton before being bowled by Chris Hay.

Kieran Lenehan batting for Heatherhill.

BATTING FRENZY AT BRUCE PARK

Heatherhill’s seconds went on a run spree, racking up 3-328 — at a run rate of 8.2 — off 40 overs against Rosebud at Bruce Park.

Openers Christian “Pip’’ Heath (71) and Zach Horsley (50) laid the foundations before No.3 Kieran Lenehan blasted 149.

Lenehan and Heath put on 158 for the second pole.

BAGS OF WICKETS

There were a couple of superb bowling displays in second XI games.

In Peninsula 2nds, Dromana spinner Jye Voelkl snared 6-7 off 5 overs to skittle Hastings for 44, sealing victory after Mackenzie Henderson set up the win with a superb 81 not out.

Ayden Dignan made a sensational debut for Baxter, taking 4-9 off 3 overs in his side’s win over Sorrento.

His twin Jye also bowled beautifully, taking 0-10 off 8 overs.