MPCA: Cracking start to season by Flinders young gun Sam Gove

A Flinders 16-year-old scored a stylish century to steer the Sharks to a rousing first-up victory and enhance his reputation as a special batting talent.

Flinders young gun Sam Gove on the drive. Picture: Facebook

Sam Gove made history three years ago when, at 13, he became the youngest First XI player in Flinders Cricket Club’s 145-year history.

Now he’s making a name for himself as a special batting talent.

Gove, 16, peeled off a superb, unbeaten century on Saturday to steer he Sharks to a rousing run-chase win over Somerville in MPCA Peninsula.

His crisp 105 not out came off only 83 balls and included four sixes, one of them clearing the fence straight down the ground towards the lawn bowling club at Somerville.

Not even a torn pectoral muscle while playing football could dim his timing or power.

Somerville, with Papua New Guinea international Charles Amini in its side, batted fist and put up a hefty 4-238, with run machine Brenton Alp top scoring with 87 (10 fours, 2 sixes).

Flinders, in reply, made a fast start as hurry-master Kane Hawkins thrashed 75 off 47 balls, with 7 fours and 4 sixes, sharing an 85-run opening stand with Jack Field (9).

Gove then took control and didn’t look like getting out, although he was dropped on the boundary line in the nineties.

He and skipper Blake Hogan-Keogh (37no off 58 balls) put on an unconquered 145-run partnership to seal victory.

Flinders stalwart Clint Munday said the young Sharks side can be surprise packets this season.

“I’m tipping most people would be saying we’d be the team to get relegated,” Munday said.

“We’ll do what we do and see how we go. A win early on with a young team can set the tone.”

Amini made 45 and looked all class in his first game in the MPCA. He lent on a cover drive that raced to the boundary and his straight hitting was a feature.

Amini will play the first five games for Somerville before heading off to international duties with PNG.

Old Peninsula batter Justin Grant. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Meanwhile, a Justin Grant master class set up Old Peninsula’s 33-run win over Baden Powell.

The Pirates skipper made 92 off 82 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes, in a total of 7-227 after walking in to bat at 2-71, when Dylan O’Malley was dismissed for 51 off 32 balls.

Talented young Pirate Zak Bauer (36) shared a 103-run fifth wicket partnership with Grant.

Baden Powell players celebrate a wicket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In reply, Baden Powell looked on target with Luke Long (49), Dale Elmi (55) and Rhys Elmi (48) in mint form, but a match-winning spell by Wade Pelzer (4-9 off 2.5 overs) saw the Pirates take the points.

Young Langwarrin opener Lachlan Jamieson made an impressive fist of opening the innings, cracking 52 to set up a narrow win over Pines. Langy put up 7-187 and then dismissed Pines in the last over for 183, with leg spinner Matt Prosser taking 3-33 off 8 overs.

Zac Bauer.

Teenage Melbourne batter Kyle Parrott made 56 on debut for Long Island but a Simon Dart special secured victory for Red Hill.

After Long Island posted 5-185, Dart made 71 not out off 79 balls to steer the Hillmen (4-187) to victory with two overs to spare.

Red Hill teenager Tom Lewis enhanced his reputation as a clutch hitter, belting three “Tom Bombs’’ (towering sixes) in a vital knock of 25no off 11 balls.

In MPCA Sub District, Mt Martha’s Max McKenzie made a stunning start to the season, taking 6-18 to skittle Rye for 104. In reply, the Reds overcame some wobbles to achieve victory in the 39th over, reaching 8-105.