Craig Slocombe smashes 102 for Middle Park in CSB Division 2

The former Springvale South champion explains why his first century in Cricket Southern Bayside meant so much to him. And a South Caulfield champion added to his ton-tally.

Craig Slocombe has scored thousands of runs, and now a century for Middle Park.

“At my age you don’t go out there to make hundreds anymore,’’ Craig Slocombe said after smacking 102 off 81 balls for Middle Park on Saturday.

The 49-year-old is playing-coach of Middle Park this season after making the move from his long-time home, Springvale South in the Dandenong District competition.

“I’m just trying to help out the local club with a few mates around the corner,’’ Slocombe said.

“They were struggling a bit and I said I’ll see what I can do.’’

While Slocombe is enjoying coaching, a knee injury has hampered his on-field exploits this season.

But he got out there on Saturday, opened the innings and blasted 13 fours and 4 sixes as Middle Park rushed past Carnegie’s 179, with seven wickets and eight overs to spare in Cricket Southern Bayside Division 2.

Slocombe said the ton — his first for “a few years’’ — carried extra significance.

“It does,’’ he said.

“I’ve had a knee injury all year so I haven’t really done a hell of a lot so it was good to finally do something.

“Not that you think you’ve got anything to prove when you’re old but you still do I guess when you go to a new club.

“It’s no good standing there telling everybody how to play, unless you show them how.’’

It was a must-win game for Middle Park, which sits just outside the top four.

And is Slocombe missing Springvale South? “Oh a hundred percent, yeah.

I do miss it. Yeah, it’s definitely home.’’

Brad Erasmus of South Caulfield in action.

Meanwhile, South Caulfield captain Brad Erasmus scored a brilliant century to set up a resounding win over Murrumbeena in Championship Division.

His unbeaten 103 off 111 balls (with 4 fours and 5 sixes) was his ninth century in five seasons at South Caulfield and escorted the side to 4-246 off its 40 overs.

Plenty Valley recruit Callum Nankervis smacked 68 off 40 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) and shared a 115-run fourth wicket stand with Erasmus.

South Caulfield then ripped through Murrumbeena’s top order, reducing it to 5-41 before it was dismissed for 136 in 37.1 overs.

English import Harry Bates did the damage, taking 3-27 off 7.1 overs with his accurate seamers, while Kanishka Alvitigala (2-8 off 5 overs), Matt McCallum (2-12) and Jonathan Curtis (2-25) also impressed. Will Kelly top scored for the Beena with 32.

South Caulfield has climbed to second spot.

Ladder leaders Bonbeach continued its red-hot form, thrashing Hampton.

Sharks skipper Tom Smith plundered his fifth half-century of the season, 70 off 74 balls, with 6 fours and 2 sixes, and Lukas Carey cracked 66 off 47 balls (4 fours, 5 sixes) to go past 300 runs for the season as Bonny chased down Hampton’s 6-152 with 15 overs and seven wickets to spare.

Thomas Mutton (63), Jonathan Leadbeater (42) and Ben Earney (3-160 were pivotal in Beaumaris’ win over Mordialloc.