Cricket Southern Bayside: Bonbeach, Bentleigh, Beaumaris and St Brigid’s-St Louis secure wins

Bonbeach’s attack-at-all-costs approach paid off as it blasted to a fifth win in Cricket Southern Bayside, while a Bentleigh champ produced a match-winning innings.

Tom Smith of Bonbeach goes on the attack against Mordialloc on Saturday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Tom Smith’s flashing bat so often sets the tone for Bonbeach.

It was the case again on Saturday as Smith’s Sharks swamped Mordialloc to improve their record to 5-1 in Championship division of Cricket Southern Bayside.

After restricting Mordialloc to 6-166 off its 40 overs, Bonbeach blasted its way to a seven-wicket win with 23 balls to spare.

Smith smacked 54 off 62 balls, with 5 fours and 2 sixes, at the top of the list.

He and opening partner Bryce O’Connor (22 off 24, with 3 fours and 1 six) put on 64 in quick time.

Tom Smith blasts off. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Jamie Matheson of Bonbeach bowls. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Ollie Sutton (45no) and George Darwood (33) then shared a 66-run stand as Bonny’s top order put away five sixes to surge to victory, finishing 3-170 off 37.1 overs.

Earlier, Bonbeach’s exciting young spinner Jamie Matheson collected 3-23 off eight overs to continue his hot form — he has 17 wickets for the season.

For Mordialloc, which is 3-3, Damith Mapa made 62 and skipper Dave Tantsis-Hall 48, while Jakob Woinarski chipped in with 16no down the order.

Jamie Matheson (wearing sunglasses) is congratulated by teammates. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

In other games:

*Robert Ciccarella blasted an unbeaten 50 off 34 balls to guide Bentleigh to a gripping two-wicket win over South Caulfield with three balls to spare. After Josh Cantrell grabbed 4-26 to restrict South to 8-182 off 40 overs, the Demons were wobbling at 4-56 in reply before Jake La Brooy (18) and Ciccarella put on 71 for the eighth wicket in a match-winning partnership. Ciccarella smacked 7 fours and 1 six in a superb innings under pressure. Earlier, South Caulfield opener Brad Erasmus top scored with 54 and Kanishka Alvitigala made 31.

Bentleigh consolidated top spot.

Damith Mapa of Mordialloc bats. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

*Beaumaris No.4 Tom Mutton made a brilliant, unbeaten 93 off 103 balls (8 fours, 1 six) to steer the Sharks home against Mentone. Chasing 196 for victory, Beaumaris was under pressure at 3-74, with Adam Bull (11), Sam Coates (4) and Ian Cockbain (34) all back in the shed. But Mutton found a willing ally in captain Cam Watts (24), the pair putting on 73 to put Beauie on track. Mutton and Max Stroud (12no) took the side to victory, finishing 5-198 off 38.2 overs. Earlier, Mentone’s Matthew Walker (76) and Dane Heverin (54) hit half centuries. Tama Stockley took 3-27 for the Sharks.

*St.Brigid’s St.Louis broke through for its first win of the season, beating Hampton. Set 210 for victory, the Saints surged to 5-213 in the 34th over, with Mark Jamieson (75 off 54 balls), George Hankins (61 off 54) and Andrew Loffel (47no off 37) in blazing form. Earlier, Hampton’s Oliver Hamilton cracked 51, Steffan Jones 48 and Ben Ridgeway 45.