MPCA 2023-24: Umpire walks off during play in MPCA Provincial match

An umpire walk-off, Sorrento’s late finals bid, a Dromana star’s sparkling century and Mt Martha’s near-500 run total...it’s all in the Mornington Peninsula cricket wrap.

An umpire walked off during play in the Old Peninsula-Langwarrin game on Saturday.

A Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association top grade match was halted for 15 minutes on Saturday after the umpire walked off during play.

Players in the Old Peninsula-Langwarrin game at Peninsula Grammar were stunned about an hour after the start of play when veteran ump Willy Mitchard left the field, got in his car and drove off.

It’s understood he was unhappy with the treatment he was receiving from players.

MPCA director of umpiring Paul Tuff was unsure what caused Mitchard to leave but hoped he would continue to work as an umpire.

“Look, we’re struggling to keep numbers now,” Tuff said.

“We don’t want to lose another one because we’ve got the finals coming up and Willy’s one of our important umpires to us and we just don’t want to lose him.”

Tuff added: “I think sometimes players don’t realise umpires are human too. You’ve got a split second to make a decision and you make it on what you see and that’s the best you can do.’’

The match eventually resumed, with Langwarrin team manager Tim Harper stepping into the role of central umpire.

Travis Campbell batting for Langwarrin.

Langwarrin, in reply to Old Peninsula’s 149, achieved victory in the 65th over, finishing 6-155. Leigh Patterson (29no) blasted a straight six to secure the win, while Travis Campbell was unbeaten in 41.

The victory consolidated top spot on the Provincial ladder for Langwarrin.

The home-and-away season is set for a grandstand finish next Saturday, with Baden Powell and Seb Gotch’s Sorrento to clash in a virtual play-off for a finals spot.

Baden Powell and Sorrento are locked on 90 points going into the last round.

Sorrento, fifth, beat Heatherhill to give itself a shot at making finals, while fourth-placed Baden Powell lost to Pines.

Luke Kranzbuhler made 58 as Sorrento declared at 6-189 in reply to Heatherhill’s 106 — a lead of 83. Put back in, Heatherhill slumped to 7-49 but rallied to stave off outright defeat, finishing 8-87, with Neil Barfuss making 37. Jake Wood took 4-23 off 20 overs for the Sharks.

Jake Wood of Sorrento appeals. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Baden Powell was dismissed for 200 in reply to Pines’ 254, with three Jackson brothers taking seven wickets between them: Connor Jackson 3-13, Lachlan Jackson 2-58 and Declan Jackson 2-48. Jordan Warris took 2-51. Rhys Elmi top scored for Baden Powell with 50, supported by Luke Long (48) and Josh Waldron (46no).

Baden Powell will host Sorrento in Round 14 (a one-dayer) on Saturday, with the winner to make finals and the loser to miss out.

Red Hill No. 8 James O’Connell made 27 not out off 35 balls to carry the Hillmen to a stirring two-wicket win over Long Island. In reply to 229, Red Hill was wobbling at 8-203 before O’Connell and Rhys Hewitt (11no) guided the side home, finishing 8-232. Earlier, Red Hill openers Luke Jackson (51) and Riley Shaw (30) put on 69 and Simon Dart made 29.

In Peninsula, Dromana No. 3 Kierran Voelkl returned to form with 108 not out as the Hoppers beat Moorooduc to consolidate fourth spot.

In District, Balnarring climbed to fourth spot with an outright win over Delacombe Park. Carrum skipper Jake D’Atri was last out for 98 as the Lions (239) fell short of Main Ridge’s 257. Liam Hulett made 82. Sam Lyons was the match-winner, taking 4-61.

Gordon Waterfall (67) and James Abbotts (69) fired Carrum Downs to victory over Flinders.

In Sub District, ladder leaders Mt Martha racked up 7-456 in reply to Boneo’s 175, with Evan Williams blasting 177 not out off 222 balls (19 fours, 8 sixes) and skipper Ben Stallworthy 116. Matt Pollock (51) and Ryan Godwin (58) were also in the runs.