Dermott Brereton joins Over 50s cricket side

AFL footy legend Dermott Brereton’s first foray into Over 50s cricket was looking good — until his wicket fell in a spectacular twist.

Dermott Brereton and the man who caught him, Pat Bezzina.

Dermott Brereton was on the wrong end of a spectacular piece of fielding on Sunday.

Making his debut in the Mornington Peninsula Over 50s cricket side, Derm looked in crisp form with the bat against Traralgon West at Adrian Butler Oval in Frankston.

But when he skied a shot to mid-wicket, he held his breath.

Getting under the catch was 51-year-old Pat Bezzina, who dived backwards, juggling the ball three times before it bounced off his belly and into his hands as he lay spreadeagled on the turf.

“I’ve come to apologise,” Carlton supporter Bezzina chuckled as he caught up with Derm at the innings break.

The Mornington Peninsula Over 50s cricket side before its first game last month.

You see a bit of everything in Over 50s cricket.

There’s brilliance, blunders and great camaraderie. Games are played at a slower pace, and always in good spirit.

It was Dermott’s first game on Frankston Peninsula’s picturesque ground, not far from where he grew up — he remembered when a big old steam train sat on the Jubilee Park hill in the 1980s.

Henry Dolphin after peeling off 40 retired on Sunday.

He enjoyed playing with old mates he’s known for over 40 years like Dave Martin and Dave Hunter, and he intends to play more veterans cricket.

The Mornington Peninsula Over 50s side was only formed this season and has played two games for two convincing wins.

Mornington Peninsula Veterans’ Cricket Club has fielded an Over 60s side for many years but this is its first foray into Over 50s.

Club president Ian Rowland has been pleased with the amount of interest and hopes there will be enough players to field two Over 50s sides next season.

The concept has given former star players like Peter Klauer, Brian Parton, Jason Nagel and Greg Lane a new lease on life.

Champion players Henry Dolphin, Stella Jackson and John Harrison have excelled so far. And apart from the wins, new friendships have been formed.