MPCA: Red Hill beats Old Peninsula to avoid relegation in Provincial
A fearless teenager’s big-hitting saved Red Hill from relegation in a nail-biting finish to the MPCA Provincial season.
South East
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It’s been dubbed the Tom Bomb.
Red Hill was on the ropes, with the threat of relegation a distinct possibility, when 18-year-old Tom Lewis faced up in the last over against Old Peninsula on Saturday.
Needing 202 for victory, the Hillmen required seven runs off four balls to win and stay in MPCA Provincial.
Lewis, in his first season of First XI and with the club’s destiny resting on his shoulders, swung hard at a delivery from Pirates skipper Justin Grant and got all of it, the ball sailing over the mid-wicket boundary for six.
“It was just the biggest six of all time,” Red Hill teammate Glenn Collett beamed.
With scores tied, Lewis cracked the next ball in the same direction for three, bringing a mighty roar from his Red Hill teammates, realising they’d avoided the drop — just.
Lewis walked off 16 not out off eight balls and it’s unlikely he will play a more important innings for a long time.
“He’s just a man child of a kid,” Collett said of Lewis.
“And he can genuinely hit balls bigger than any fully grown man.
“We’ve been trying to blood him in and on Saturday it was the perfect storm for him.”
Collett (15 off 8 balls) also played a vital cameo, blasting 14 runs (including a six and a four) off the second last over to revive Red Hill’s flagging hopes.
It was just as well Red Hill won because bottom side Mt Eliza beat Baxter.
As it was, Red Hill and Mt Eliza finished on the same points, 48, but the Hills’ percentage was slightly better.
Earlier, Red Hill opener Luke Robertson (91) and skipper Simon Dart (51) put on 133 for the second wicket, taking the score from 1-28 to 1-161, as the Hillmen strode confidently in pursuit of Old Peninsula’s 3-201, which was set up by Wade Pelzer (78no), Grant (43) and Dylan O’Malley (30).
Collett said it was a relief to stay in Provincial.
“It’s been frustrating,” he said.
“We’ve actually put up some really good scores and beaten some really good teams.
“To be fighting out that relegation position was disappointing. We’d beaten Old Peninsula twice, beaten Sorrento once, and made 220 against them and lost, and also made 220 against Baden Powell and lost.
“It’s just been one of those years.”
Mt Eliza would be shattered to be relegated after winning its final three games.
The Mounties bowled superbly on Saturday to defend 9-136 against Baxter, which was restricted to 7-126 in reply after Scott Tansley (3-22), Nick Baron (2-28), Shaun Knott (1-26) and Tom Baron (0-21) led the way.
Earlier, Chris Wisbey top scored for Mt Eliza with 50, while Keith Biggs, back for his first game of the season, made 20.
Langwarrin (8-172) thrashed Sorrento (7-90) to go into the finals with confidence.
Langy coach Matt Prosser continued his hot form with 78 off 81 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. He’s up to 598 runs for the season, at 49.
Langwarrin, third, will meet second-placed Old Peninsula in a semi-final.
The other semi will be contested by Baden Powell and Sorrento.
Heavy overnight rain prevented play in the game between Long Island and Baden Powell at Ballam Park.
In Peninsula, Somerville stars Brenton Alp (88) and Leigh Lowry (81no) put on 141 to help the Eagles (2-203) run down Moorooduc’s 6-199 with an over to spare.
Somerville will face Heatherhill in a semi-final.
The other semi will be between Pines and Seaford Tigers.
Flag favourites Pines (5-161) shot out Rosebud for 97 to finish 20 points clear on top of the ladder.
Heatherhill (1-90) thrashed Mornington (88) after star turns from Jake Theobald (4-13), Jake Miller (52no) and Kristian Miller (33no).
Dromana took the minor premiership in District after beating fellow flag contender Carrum Downs.
Kierran Voelkl made 58no as the Hoppers (4-146) won with 6.3 overs to spare.
In Sub District, Seaford took the minor premiership and will face Skye in a semi-final.
Tyabb and Tootgarook will contest the other semi.
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