MPCA: Old Peninsula and Sorrento to meet in Provincial grand final

A former Premier Cricket fast bowler smashed six sixes as the Sharks surged into another MPCA Provincial grand final.

Jake Wood batting for Sorrento. Picture: Valeriu Campan

For a small club, Sorrento continues to punch above its weight — and land plenty of blows.

The Sharks will attempt to win their third consecutive MPCA Provincial premiership when they meet Old Peninsula in the grand final next weekend.

Sorrento only has three sides.

Its thirds have also made it to the big dance.

“It’s just a good, tight knit little club,” Sorrento First XI captain Bobby Wilson said.

Wilson pulled a surprise on Saturday by promoting fast bowler Jake Wood to No. 4 in the batting order in Sorrento’s semi-final clash with Baden Powell at Overport Park.

It paid off handsomely as the former Frankston Peninsula paceman blasted 68 off 42 balls (6 sixes, 3 fours) as the Sharks ran down BP’s 5-224, replying with 4-226 off 37 overs.

“We were 1-110 at drinks and that just set us up,” Wilson said.

“We put Woody and he just smashed them.

Sorrento is into another MPCA Provincial grand final.

“We’ve been batting him at seven and eight and he hasn’t really been getting a hit.

“I think about a month ago he had like 20 runs.

“We’ve been struggling to find a solid number four. So we thought if we’re in a half decent position on the Baden Powell ground we might just put him in and throw caution to the breeze.’’

Bobby Wilson.

Wilson said Wood took his time early and then “just bombed them”.

“He put us so far ahead that even when he got out we only needed 20 off 40 and on that ground you’re pretty much home from there,” he said.

Sorrento opener Corey Harris laid the foundations with a crisp 59 off 75 rocks, while Wilson made 49 off 61 at No. 3.

Sharks coach Liam O’Connor made 22 not out at the end to steer the Sharks to yet more finals success.

Sorrento has made the finals in eight of the past 11 seasons.

And it has won every semi-final it has contested in that time — eight from eight.

“In my first three years at the club we didn’t play finals, and in the last four years we’ve made the granny,” Wilson said.

“It’s been good.”

Earlier, Baden Powell got off to a flying start as openers Luke Long (40 off 51) and Beau Anthony (28 off 28) put on 62 in quick time.

Long was the main scorer at the start.

“He really put us on the back foot,’’ Wilson said.

“They were 140 with 10 overs left and I said to Liam if we can keep them to 190 I’ll be pretty confident.

“They ended up getting 224, (Rhys) Elmi and TK (Travis Kellerman) batted really well, they just smashed it into every gap.’’

Old Peninsula spinner Will Crowder. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Old Peninsula won the other semi-final, chasing down Langwarrin’s 6-169 with four balls to spare.

The Pirates replied with 4-172, superbly led by Wade Pelzer (67 not out), Tom La Brooy (44) and Dylan O’Malley (33).

Langwarrin’s score was set up by Matt Prosser (48) and Travis Campbell (36no).

The win ended a run of semi-final losses for Old Peninsula, which will host the grand final on Saturday.

In Peninsula, Pines will meet Somerville in what shapes as a cracking grand final.

The Piners, who beat Seaford Tigers in a semi-final, will be looking to avenge last season’s grand final defeat.

Former Delacombe Park champion Nick Christides has been a good addition to the Pines side this season.

He smashed 78 — his highest score since crossing over — to help the Piners put up 8-187.

The Tigers in reply were kept to 7-175, with Billy Humphrey snaring 2-16 off six overs. Mackenzie Gardner (41) and Jake Harrington (40) tried hard for the Tigers.

Somerville’s in-form batsmen Brenton Alp (45) and Leigh Lowry (64no) fired in the Eagles’ (5-160) win over Heatherhill (158).

Somey skipper Brad McDonald grabbed 3-16 off six overs with his offies to put the Hills on the back foot.

The best two teams in District will play off for the premiership: Dromana will host Carrum Downs.

And Seaford will host Tyabb in the Sub District flag decider.

A total of 23 clubs will be represented in grand finals throughout the grades on Saturday.