MPCA 2020-21: Dave James hammers century as Seaford Tigers upset Flinders

The Seaford Tigers’ bus trip home from Flinders was like party central after they scored a stunning victory to stave off relegation in MPCA Peninsula.

Seaford Tigers captain David James after making 116 not out at Flinders on Saturday.

Seaford Tigers captain David James says “it was all a bit of a blur” after blasting 116 not out against Flinders on Saturday to ensure his club stayed up in MPCA Peninsula division.

The swashbuckling innings propelled the Tigers to victory in the final round, allowing them to climb off the bottom of the ladder and avoid relegation.

Main Ridge, which lost to Long Island, dropped to the bottom and was relegated.

A man on a mission, James smashed 6 sixes and 11 fours as Seaford Tigers sprinted to 1-223 off 28 overs in reply to Flinders’ 7-222.

“He’s in a bit of form on our ground,” Flinders player Dwayne Field said.

“The last time we played them he made 180.”

Seaford Tigers walk off the ground after their vital win at Flinders.

James said his side approached the big run chase with “positive intent”.

“Our opener (Brayden) Roscoe, I think fourth ball, drove (Matt) Gale through the covers and from that moment on, I don’t know, it just felt like something was happening,” James said.

The Tigers hired a bus to get to Flinders and they went there with a relaxed, fun attitude, listening to music on the way.

“It was a bit of a fun day,” James said.

“We’ve been under pressure the last three games to win one and we hadn’t so we took a different approach, it was a really relaxed sort of day.

“We had a bit of music on the bus on the way up and we were just really relaxed, and it paid off. It worked.”

Max Watters bowling for Seaford Tigers. Picture: Valeriu Campan

James and Roscoe (36) put on 85 for the first peg before Max Watters joined James and batted beautifully to make his highest First XI score, 59no.

The James-Watters stand was unconquered and worth 138.

But the century by James was something else. Ironically, it followed a golden duck last week.

“To be honest, the first four overs I couldn’t hit it and I thought, ‘here we go again’,” James said.

“But I got a shot away and from then on, I don’t know, it was a bit of a blur to be honest.

“I’ve woken up today thinking, ‘geez, we’ve stayed up’. I don’t know, it just happened, I got back to the he sort of form I was in last year. It’s a shame it was the last game.

“Making a first baller last week, it was probably one of my better shots all year that I went out on. This week I hit two (shots) close to fielders and didn’t get caught, and away we went.

“It’s a funny game isn’t it...last week I wanted it to be over, this week I want it to keep going.”

James plans to play on next season, but star batsman Ash Mills will step away to spend more time with his young family.

“He spoke to us before the game saying it would be his last game for us,” James said.

“He’s been a wonderful servant of our club, we’re very lucky to have someone like him play for us, he’s an absolute gun — on and off the field.”

Flinders finished in third spot and will face Long Island in a semi-final on Saturday.

Pines will host Somerville in the other Peninsula division semi.

Ladder: Pines 152, Long Island 144, Flinders 84, Somerville 80, Heatherhill 72, Moorooduc 72, Seaford Tigers 36, Main Ridge 36.