Cricket Southern Bayside: Mordialloc wins Division 1 premiership

Mordialloc’s young players stood up under pressure as the Bloodhounds soared to premiership glory in Cricket Southern Bayside — a year after being relegated.

Mordialloc celebrates its premiership in CSB Division 1.

Mordialloc capped an outstanding season with a gripping three-wicket win over Mentone in the CSB Division 1 grand final on Saturday.

Chasing Mentone’s 7-175, the Bloodhounds got there with three balls to spare after a seesawing battle between two evenly matched sides.

It went down to the last over at Mentone’s Hogben-Meckiff Oval.

With scores tied, Mordialloc tail ender Nick Connellan square drove a boundary off the third ball - after playing and missing the first two deliveries — to secure victory.

Mordialloc captain Damith Mapa Ralalage made 40 off 36 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) to drag the Bloodhounds to the edge of victory before he tried to end it with a lusty blow only to sky it and be caught.

Connellan (4no) joined Liam Bence (4no) at the crease and the pair enjoyed the thrill of being in the middle when the flag was won.

Mordialloc’s youngsters stood up under the pressure.

Brendan Morris batting for Mordialloc. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Opener Brendan Morris smashed two sixes on his way to 43 off 68 balls, sharing a vital 52-run partnership for the third wicket with teenager Finn Callaghan that took the Bloodhounds from 2-35 to 2-87.

Morris went past 400 runs for the season.

Callaghan and Mapa then put on 45 to take the score to 3-132 as Mordialloc’s belief grew.

The impressive Callaghan was out LBW for 54 off 71, with six boundaries and one six. His innings in the biggest game of the season will long be remembered.

Mordi opener Harrison Scott is disappointed after being given out leg before as Tigers p;aceman Ed McGarry is pumped up. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mordialloc coach David Sime was emotional straight after the finish, having achieved the ultimate in his first season back after many years away.

“It’s amazing, it’s a great feeling,” Sime said.

“There’s nothing better.

“I’m just so happy for the club and I’m so rapt the young blokes stood up.

“It’s great what I’ve bee talking to them about all year has paid off.”

Sime admitted to a few nerves during the run have but said the cool head and class of Mapa filled him with confidence.

“It got tight but we still had Mapa there so that was handy,” he said.

“He does it every time in finals. He’s done it a few times.”

Mordialloc openers Brendan Morris and Harrison Scott run between wickets. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It was a second Mordialloc flag for spinner Matt Campbell, who returned to the club this season.

He praised his teammates, saying everyone contributed when needed.

“I said at the start of the season, ‘I’ve come back for one reason and one reason only and that’s to help you boys out and win another flag’,” he said.

Earlier, Mentone No.5 Gavin Brown blasted 95 not out off 96 balls to put the Tigers in a strong position.

He smashed three sixes in one over from the bowling of spinner Connellan, each one going further than the last.

The second six smashed into the side of the pavilion and the third sailed over the Mentone supporters on the .

Mentone English import Matt Walker smashed his second ball for six and looked in mint form before being caught the covers for 21 off 12 from the bowling of Campbell (1-33).