VSDCA 2018-19: Brighton surges past 300 in one-dayer against Hoppers Crossing

A spectator copped a hard hit as Brighton captain Ricky Damiano went on the attack against Hoopers Crossing in Sub-District cricket on Saturday.

Talk about a run feast.

The Hoppers Crossing bowling came like a buffet to the Brighton batsmen on Saturday at the South Rd ground, and they piled their plates high.

From the 45 overs they received in the one-day match, the Tonners stacked up 2-316.

Openers Brenton Murphy and Ricky Damiano tucked in for a 152-run partnership before the skipper was out for 88 off 91 balls (to go with his 49 in the Twenty20 fixture against Oakleigh at Brighton last Tuesday).

Murphy, recruited from Dandenong before this season, went on to his first century for the club, 104.

He faced 111 deliveries and put away 8 fours and 1 six.

Marcus Glenister (83no off 55 balls, with 8 fours and 2 sixes) and Englishman Jack Bransgrove (24no) hooked in too as Brighton swept past 300.

Ricky Damiano hits down the ground against Hoppers Crossing.

Damiano hit 11 fours and 2 sixes, one of them a clip off the toes that struck a spectator in the head. Play was held up but fortunately she was uninjured.

The Tonners started the defence of the target superbly when Alex Hewet struck in the first over. But Hoppers put in a tremendous chase, being bowled out for 281 in 42.2 overs.

Luke Goegan blasted 105 from 71 deliveries.

Hewet finished with 2-39 off his eight overs and Luke Shimmin had 2-31 off eight, but the rest of the Brighton bowlers took some punishment.

Still, the Tonners had enough runs to bring a much-needed victory in front of former past players and officials enjoying proceedings from the balcony on a glorious early-summer day at Brighton Beach Oval. They were 1-4 as they went in against an opponent going well at 4-1.

A spectator rubs her head after being struck by the ball at Brighton Beach Oval.

Caulfield farewelled star batsman Peter Cross in style, running down Williamstown in a tight, top-of-the-ladder south-west section match.

The Towners put up 9-179 at Point Gellibrand but the Fielders replied with 7-180 with 17 balls to spare.

Graeme Rummans, coming off a spanking 78 off 40 balls against Malvern in Round 1 of the Twenty20 series last Tuesday, led the list with 55.

Happily, Cross, who is returning to NSW, had a good hand in the win.

Showing restraint, the left-hander made 37 and was dismissed with nine runs needed.

Lachie Graf saw the visitors through with 35 not out.

Rummans said it was a terrific victory for Caulfield.

“It wasn’t a great wicket. It was a bit up and down and two-paced, so 180 was a pretty tough chase,’’ he said.

“Really good batting effort from us. ‘Crossy’ played beautifully. His partnership with ‘Graffy’ (Graf) got us over the line. It wasn’t looking too positive when we were 6-100 or so. It would have been nice for Crossy to be not out at the end but he played a really good innings.’’

Rummans said Cross was as good as any batsman in Sub-District cricket.

“There’s no way we can replace him,’’ he said. “He’s going to be missed, not just on the field but with his guidance to ‘Thorney’ (captain Jacob Thorne). He’s been a fantastic player for Caulfield.’’

Peter Cross made a valuable 37 in his last hand for Caulfield.

At EE Gunn Reserve, Ormond came in short as it chased Melton’s 177, being dismissed for 165 with seven balls left in its innings.

Former Moorabbin captain Lee Weiss (53) and skipper James Wild (52) had a good partnership for the third wicket, but when they were dismissed a run-a-ball scenario in the last seven overs proved beyond the Monders.

“It was a pressure situation and we probably didn’t cope well,’’ Wild said.

“Disappointing for us …. You should be able to chase 180 at our ground.’’

Ormond brought disgruntled Kingston Hawthorn batsman Luke Heath straight in to its team and he made nine from the opening slot, bowled by a ball that kept low.

Coach Murray Ring took 4-31 off his nine overs.

Wild said his team was playing well for 80 per cent of its matches but faltering in the last 10 overs of both innings.

Elsternwick’s tail wagged but was left to do too much against Taylors Lakes at Elsternwick Park.

Replying to 151, Elsty crashed to 7-51, only to mount a challenge through the lower-order.

Wicketkeeper James Gorman (30no) and bowlers Will Smith (32) and Callum Sinclair (32 off 17 balls) had a dip in the late overs but the hosts were six runs shy, handing the Lakers their first win of the season.

Sinclair had a good match, his fighting runs going with 2-25 off nine overs. Smith claimed 1-17 off nine.