MPCA: Pines locks in new coaching set-up
Pines has confirmed a new coaching line-up for the MPCA season, with a former Premier Cricket paceman taking on a key post.
South East
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After going so close to winning the MPCA Peninsula flag last season, Pines has undergone changes.
Former Frankston Peninsula and Victorian Under-19 fast bowler Jackson Mockett has taken the coaching reins after two seasons as Piners assistant coach.
At 24, it’s his first senior coaching job.
Pines has also appointed Brett “Bart” Hudgson as director of coaching. He will work in conjunction with Mockett.
Hudgson has coached Frankston YCW and Long Island and also captained Frankston Peninsula’s 4th XI to finals while also being named Cricket Victoria’s 4th XI player of the season in 2009-10.
Ricky Ramsdale will continue as Pines skipper.
Pines legend Stephen Johnson will help out as a specialist coach.
One of the most decorated cricketers in MPCA history, Johnson led Pines to five premierships in seven seasons between 1983 and 1991 and is also a five-time MPCA Country Week premiership captain and three-time Long Island flag winner.
Hudgson said the club was confident of landing a couple of recruits, both batsmen, to provide support to an already strong top order led by Damien Lawrence, Harley Pearce-Stirling, Ramsdale and Lai Leaunoa.
Pines’ only loss appears to be young paceman Liam Jackson, who has crossed to Baden Powell.
Pines won 12 games, plus a tie, last season to make it through to the flag decider, only to fall two runs short of Long Island’s 134 in a gripping encounter.
Lawrence was one of the leading run scorers in the competition, with 453, at 45.3, while Peace-Stirling had another strong season with 370 runs, at 41.11.
Pines’ bowling attack collected plenty of wickets, with Ramsdale (25), Patty Jackson (20), Mockett (18) and Billy Humphrey (18) showing the way.
The Piners are expected to be a leading contender again in ‘21-22, with their strongest opposition likely to come from Flinders, Somerville and reigning District premier Rosebud.
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