MPCA: Chris Brittain’s unbeaten 81 guides Baxter to thrilling win over reigning premier Langwarrin
Chris Brittain produced a classic captain’s knock to guide Baxter to a gripping one-wicket win over reigning premier Langwarrin in MPCA Provincial on Saturday.
South East
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Chris Brittain produced a classic captain’s knock to guide Baxter to a gripping one-wicket win over reigning premier Langwarrin in MPCA Provincial on Saturday.
The champion right-hander made 81 not out, hitting the winning runs — a lofted straight drive for four — with scores level, much to the delight of a large gathering of Baxter past players at Greg Beck Oval.
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The win lifted Baxter into the four with a round remaining, at the expense of Mornington, which dropped to fifth after losing to Peninsula Old Boys.
Chasing 156 for victory, Baxter slumped to 5-42 as the Campbell brothers, Travis and Adam, made a fiery start in the hot conditions.
As wickets fell around him, Brittain dug in and kept the scoreboard ticking. Baxter (9-159) achieved victory in the 79th over. Langwarrin captain Trav Campbell toiled away manfully in the heat to take 3-23 off 21 overs, supported by Adam Campbell (3-28 off 17) and Matt Prosser (2-31).
Hard-hitting Peninsula Old Boys opener Dylan O’Malley blasted 74 (with 13 fours and 1 six) as the Pirates (6-233) chased down Mornington’s 232 with nine overs to spare.
O’Malley and Eivion Bowen (28) had a 103-run opening stand before Tom La Brooy (54no) batted beautifully to steer POB to victory.
Mornington’s Cameron Moon took a career-best 4-46.
Leigh Poholke (57) and Liam O’Connor (54no) cracked half-centuries as Sorrento (6-195) coasted to victory over Flinders (112). The pair put on 85 for the fourth wicket after openers Corey Harris (26) and Jedd Falck (24) set a good platform and skipper Bobby Wilson (20) chipped in as Sorrento made it five wins on the bounce.
Justin Grant captured 5-12 off 20 overs (with 13 maidens) and Nick Baron 3-9 as Mt Eliza (210) routed relegation-bound Pearcedale for 105 in 55 overs. The Panthers lost 8-17 after being 2-88 as Grant and Baron cut a swath through the middle and lower orders. Brad Trotter (29), Tim Dudgeon (28) and Josh Swainston (27) did well before the collapse.
In Peninsula, seven of the eight teams are still in the finals race entering the last round.
Main Ridge kept its finals hopes alive with a rousing three-wicket win over Pines. Chasing 177, the Cougars resumed at 4-46 and showed fight to make 7-178, with Oliver McEncroe scoring a career-best 39no and Jason Albress 38no, the pair sharing an unbroken 55-run eighth wicket stand to guide their side to victory. Travis Barker (27) and Charlie Banks (26) were also in the runs.
Moorooduc climbed to third spot after dismissing Crib Point for 168. Defending 185, the Ducs’ bowlers dug deep with Reece Cordeux (4-39 off 21) and Michael Whincup (2-24 off 17) leading the way.
Somerville (181) produced a stunning bowling display to flatten Long Island for 125 after they resumed at 0-38. Luke Rowe (3-14), Russell Wilkes (2-34), Aaron Kaddatz (2-28) and Blake Terlaak (2-18) combined superbly.
Andrew Mock took the “greatest catch seen in local cricket’’ to dismiss Baden Powell’s Rhys Elmi to help Red Hill to a 57-run victory. Mock’s one-handed stunner at mid-wicket changed the change as BP was dismissed for 128 in reply to 185. Hillman Jamie McCall snared 4-31 and Lincoln Toy capped a fine game with 2-14 off 13.
In District, Delacombe Park champion Nick Christides blasted 104 as the ladder-leading Parkers put Seaford to the sword.
The 46-year-old put away 7 fours and 7 sixes — notching his 12th ton in as many years — as Delacombe Park, chasing 107, recovered from 6-73 to make 291 at home.
“He’s still a freak,’’ DP skipper Ricky Ramsdale said of Christides.
Ramsdale (62, with 5 four sand 5 sixes) and Rob Fisher (65, with 7 fours and 3 sixes) chimed in as Delacombe banked their 10th win.
Carrum (203) consolidated fourth spot with a vital win over Hastings (172). Hastings made a good start to its run chase to be 1-81 before Rory Brown (4-18), Jake D’Atri (3-83 off 31 overs) and Sam Ridgway (3-57 off 28) made key breakthroughs. Luke Hewitt top scored for Hastings with 49.
Mt Martha opener Simon Street (47) helped the Reds (6-138) to victory over Seaford Tigers (123). Kade Bendle (24) and Mitch Darville (29no) also batted well, while Tigers captain David James snared 3-32.
Rosebud (194) climbed to third spot after beating Heatherhill (183). Patrick Nagel (3-20) and Brian Doughty (3-47) bowled beautifully as the Sharks defended stoutly while Richard Brown (1-26) got the key run out of Declan Albert (67).
In Sub-District, Balnarring jumped back into the four after a gripping 10-run win over Carrum Downs. Ben King took 3-47 off 16 overs as the Saints defended 242, dismissing the Cougars for 232 in the 78th over. Ryan Lynch (65), Brad Lockhart (42), Josh Harkness (34) and No. 11 Ricky Cannon (15no) tried hard for CD.
Frankston YCW slipped to fifth spot after a stinging defeat against Dromana. YC was shot out for 32 last week as Hoppers new ball bowlers Zacc Klan (7-12) and Jeff Bluhm (3-16) wreaked havoc. In reply, Dromana made 189, with the in-form Ben Bradley-Bridge cracking 53. Stonecats evergreen Craig Burch snared 5-44 off 32 overs. Batting again, Frankston YCW was 5-77.
Tyabb captain Nick Taranto scored his second century of the season, a fine 108 off 208 balls, but the Yabbies (235) fell heartbreakingly short of victory against Boneo (243). Jack Beale snared 3-53 off 24 overs for the Pandas.
Rye openers Jarrod Saw (59) and Leighton Richardson (50) put on 86 as the Demons (6-164) coasted to victory over Skye (105 and 2-59).
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