MPCA 2022-23: The star performers of semi-final weekend

Semi-final weekend brought out the best in players around the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association, with eight batters cracking centuries and 15 five-fors recorded. SEE WHO STARRED.

Dwayne Field after taking 7-44 in Flinders' second XI. Picture: Facebook

A brilliant maiden century by Angus Cripps at No. 7 powered Baden Powell’s seconds into the Provincial 2nds grand final on the weekend.

Cripps went in at 5-104 in the semi-final against Baxter and blasted 101 not out off 140 balls, with 14 fours and 1 six, to lift the Braves to 8-269.

Cripps’ previous highest score was 75.

Baden Powell evergreen John Harrison then bowled 26 overs, taking 3-46, to help dismiss a gallant Baxter for 234.

*Brandon Lawler scored his third unbeaten century of the season to set up Old Peninsula’s resounding win over Long Island in Provincial 2nds.

Lawler made 100no off 108 balls, with 5 fours, in the Pirates’ 7-283. In reply, Long Island was dismissed for 105. Will Crowder snared 5-54 off 30 overs, to go with his 76 with the bat.

Dwayne Field (left) and Shane Beggs. Picture: Facebook

*Flinders champions Shane Beggs and Dwayne Field turned in stunning performances in the Sharks’ second XI’s win over Somerville.

Beggs made 101no, his third century of the season, to help the Sharks to 231. He has almost 900 runs this season.

Field then took 7-44 off 17.4 overs to rip through Somerville, skittling the Eagles for 86 to seal a commanding victory. Matt Burns was the only other bowler used, taking 3-37.

*Baden Powell fourths opening bowler Anthony Smith captured the best figures of the semi-finals weekend, nabbing 7-34 off 20 overs in his side’s win over Carrum Downs in A3. Smith has taken hundreds of wickets in a long career for BP.

*Tyabb all-rounder Jai Gleeson smashed 12 fours and 5 sixes on his way to a match-winning 122 in B1. Gleeson also grabbed 3-59 as the Yabbies completed a 37-run win over Somerville.

*Big-hitting Robbie Gruar blitzed 110 — his fourth century of the season — to propel Skye into the B2 grand final. Gruar cracked 10 fours and 5 sixes in Skye’s hefty total of 6-319 off 70 overs against Tyabb.

Chris McDonough.

*A dominant display by Chris McDonough led Mt Eliza to a thumping win over Skye in a C2 semi-final.

The left-hander smacked an unbeaten 94 in the Mounties’ 4-241 and then captured 5-9 off six overs to send Skye crashing all out for 21 in 11.5 overs.

*In the other C2 semi, an undefeated century by Arul Mariswamy (104no, with 17 fours, 1 six) led Pearcedale to an eight-wicket win over Long Island.

*Sorrento surged into the C3 grand final on the back of a stylish century by opener Ben McDonald (107, with 7 fours, 2 sixes) as the Sharks defeated Rye.

LEADING PERFORMERS

BATTING

122 - Jai Gleeson, Tyabb, B1

110 - Robert Gruar, Skye, B2

110 - Trevor Ryan, Long Island, B2

107 - Ben McDonald, Sorrento, C3

104* - Arul Mariswamy, Pearcedale, C2

101* - Angus Cripps, Baden Powell, Provincial 2nd

101* - Shane Beggs, Flinders, Peninsula 2nds

100* - Brandon Lawler, Peninsula OB, Provincial 2nd

96 - Julin Vettuparambil, Long Island, C2

94* - Chris McDonough, Mt Eliza, C2

BOWLING

7-34 - Anthony Smith, Baden Powell, A3

7-44 - Dwayne Field, Peninsula 2nds

6-57 - Adeel Hussain, Heatherhill, Peninsula 1st

6-66 - Jye Voelkl, Dromana, Peninsula 1st

5-6 - David Bergin, Mt Eliza, C2

5-9 - Chris McDonough, Mt Eliza, C2

5-12 - Shaun Miller, Heatherhill, Peninsula 2nds

5-16 - William Crowder, Peninsula OB, Provincial 2nd

5-20 - Kai Sommer, Mt Martha, Sub District 2nds

5-26 - Cameron Williams, Boneo, Sub District 1sts

5-28 - John Forrest, Old Peninsula, Provincial 1st

5-32 - Justin Brown, Balnarring, Sub District 1sts

5-47 - James La Brooy, Old Peninsula, Provincial 1st

5-54 - Jack Johnson, Crib Point, District 2nds

5-63 - Oliver Stevens, Baden Powell, A1