Premier Cricket: Frankston Peninsula Third XI remain undefeated

Who are the best lower grade captains in Victorian Premier Cricket? Frankston Peninsula believes it has two as its Third and Fourth XIs gear up for finals.

Frankston Peninsula thirds captain Aaron McIlroy. Picture: Facebook

Without fuss or fanfare, Frankston Peninsula’s Third XI sits atop the ladder as the only undefeated team.

And the Heat’s Fourth XI are also on target to play finals, currently in fifth spot.

Frankston Peninsula chairman of selectors Brad Glenn says their success stems from the strong leadership of captains Aaron McIlroy (thirds) and Simon Draycott (fourths).

“We’re very fortunate,” Glenn said.

“We’ve got two very good thirds and fourths captains which is crucial because our thirds and fourths are very young.

“Both are ripping guys — club legends — who have been at the club a long time.

“Macca could definitely bowl in the seconds, (but) he chooses to captain the thirds.

“He stands the seam up and is just deadly accurate.

“And Draycs could probably play in the thirds. He was at Camberwell Magpies many years ago.

“In my opinion we have two of the better thirds and fourths captains in grade cricket.”

McIlroy is in his ninth season at Frankston Peninsula after joining the club from Ovens Valley United in Myrtleford.

Frankston Peninsula’s thirds rolled Kingston Hawthorn for 86 on Saturday to continue their march to finals.

The Heat’s fourths boast exciting talent, including Josh Edwards (386 runs, including five half-centuries), Matt Kennedy and Brodie Matthews.

Frankston Peninsula celebrated a day of “Searing Heat” on Saturday, with all four of its sides winning against the Hawks.

James Nanopoulos. Picture: George Sal

In the First XI, skipper James Nanopolous grabbed two wickets in the opening 20 minutes and finished with a season-best 4-20 off 10 overs.

He then played a vital innings, making 43 at No. 5, as Frankston Peninsula banked its fifth win of the season.

In the seconds, former Carnegie allrounder Saumil Patel scored a brilliant century, 116 off 98 balls (13 fours, 3 sixes) as the Heat put up 8-261 and then skittled the Hawks for 158 at AH Butler Oval.

“He was magnificent,” Glenn said of Patel.

“He played some effortless cover drives and was just plonking balls over the bowlers head for six.”

Mordialloc premiership batsman Brendan Morris (50) and young opener Lachlan Walsh (43) also impressed in the seconds’ big total.

Former Mt Martha junior Walsh has scored over 400 runs this season, including a century in the fourths in December.

Glenn said Frankston Peninsula had improved this season and would look to get stronger.

“We’ve won more games across the club than what we did last year,” he said.

“We reckon our all-rounders and bowling stocks are pretty good.

“As well as trying to get some improvement out of our bats here now we need to try and find two really good Premier bats who are on the cusp of state cricket and play mainly with their club.”

Frankston Peninsula hosts Casey-South Melbourne this Saturday before travelling to Geelong in the final round.