MPCA clubs keen to play more games under lights

The lights shone brightly as night cricket came to the Mornington Peninsula on Saturday — and more games could be ahead.

The Langwarrin-Old Peninsula 2nd XI game was played under lights on Saturday.

The Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association will look at holding regular day-night matches after the success of a Second XI game on Saturday night.

A crowd of nearly 500 watched Langwarrin beat Old Peninsula under lights at Lloyd Park Oval 2.

The game started at 4pm and finished at about 9.20pm.

Host club Langwarrin hailed it a runaway success, with club president Matt Reddaway saying bar turnover was more than double of a normal Saturday.

“It was great financially,” Reddaway said.

“As a spectacle it was brilliant. The Old Peninsula (First XI) boys came back, it was a close game and the weather was good which is a key I think.

“I saw people come up to the club that I haven’t seen this season, so it brought extra people back.

Ben Williams (left) and Dan Bray guided Langwarrin to victory in a thriller.

“And it was just something different…when they first started the Twenty20s they got a lot of interest with people saying, ‘let’s go and have a look’, but now it’s like, ‘oh, it’s just another Twenty20’.

“Whereas the night game piqued people’s interest.”

MPCA general manager Ian Benson said reigning Provincial premiers Sorrento had already shown interest in hosting night games.

“We got an email from Sorrento asking for requirements and that,’’ he said.

“I think they need 300 lux or something to make it work.’’

Old Peninsula openers Will La Broy (left) and Tom Humphris walk out to the middle. Picture: Anthony Pearce

MPCA board member Brett Hudgson said clubs keen to hold day-night games would be encouraged to do so.

“If clubs are open to it, from a league point of view we are always looking at ways to help the clubs and build the league,” he said.

“Obviously some clubs can’t have night games but if you could, why wouldn’t you use them?

“Clubs could almost even have a double-header with their ones and twos. If you agree to start your twos at 12 o’clock and then your ones after it.”

Langwarrin is hoping to hold another day-night game on February 20, inviting Long Island’s Third XI to play under lights.

A Jack Peacock Twenty20 game between Seaford Tigers and Pines will be played under lights tonight (Tuesday) at Belvedere Reserve in Seaford. First ball will be at 7.30pm.