MPCA: Ex-Victorian batsman Simon Dart breaks Red Hill’s runs record

The great Simon Dart broke another batting record as he peeled off a masterful century for Red Hill in MPCA Provincial, while there were superb performances by Dromana, Langwarrin, Baden Powell and Heatherhill players.

Simon Dart watches the ball intently on his way to 169 not out for Red Hill against Old Peninsula on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Even the opposition took a moment to admire pure class.

As Simon Dart churned out his 16th century for Red Hill on Saturday, Old Peninsula players acknowledged greatness and treated the afternoon almost as a batting tutorial.

The 46-year-old former Victorian batsman finished unbeaten in 169 as the Hillmen racked up 9-302 off 80 overs.

Dart also became Red Hill’s greatest run scorer in the club’s 103-year history during the innings, passing Damien Holmes’ mark of 7608.

“Mate, he batted well,” Old Peninsula’s John Forrest said.

“He’s just a class act, he’s unbelievable.

“The older you get you appreciate good cricket and I talked to our batters around what they can learn from someone like him who’s been so good at it for so long. He’s the best I’ve seen in our comp, especially over a period of time.

“We’ve seen a Nick Jewell and a Jimmy Boyd and blokes like that have individual great seasons but for a bloke to be doing what he’s been doing for so long and still doing it when he’s 46 and making it look so easy it’s just ridiculous, the way he goes from 50 to 120 is just effortless.”

Harry Gouldstone drives for Red Hill as Old Peninsula keep Tom La Brooy looks on. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Forrest and Dart were teammates in Victoria’s under-17 side 30 years ago. They’ve had plenty of healthy battles over the years and Saturday was another (in Forrest’s final game).

“He just manipulates, he plays with some calculated risks and then gets you almost sucked in to change the field to where he wants you to set the field and then hits it to where he wants to,’’ Forrest said.

“It’s unbelievable to watch.”

Dart took over as Red Hill’s captain-coach in 2012 and has been a massive influence in a golden era. The Hillmen reached the pinnacle last season when they won the MPCA Provincial premiership.

On Saturday, Dart and Englishman Harry Gouldstone (76) shared a 164-run third wicket partnership after joining forces at 2-27.

Dart hit 15 fours and a six in his unconquered knock.

Old Peninsula’s 16-year-old opening bowler Will Forrest took the first wicket of the game and then another three in his second spell, returning the excellent figures of 4-37 off 14 overs.

Adam Gailitis bowls for Old Peninsula. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In other games:

*Dromana brothers Jack and Sam Fowler unleashed a superb tandem bowling performance to help the Hoppers to first innings points against Pines in the top-of-the-table clash at Pier St. Jack bowled with venom to take 4-48 off 16 overs while Sam snared 4-37 off 11 overs to dismiss Pines for 124 in the 34th over. In reply, Dromana reached 6-160 at stumps, with Sam and Jack Fowler making 39 apiece to cap dominant days.

*Matthew Prosser turned in a dominant display to put Langwarrin in a strong position against Sorrento. The four-time Wedgwood medallist took 6-33 off 21 overs of leg-spin to help dismiss Sorrento for 156 and then was unbeaten on 18 as Langy reached 1-27 in reply at stumps. Earlier, Sorrento opener Jedd Falck top scored with 53. A leg injury to fast bowling all-rounder Jake Wood while batting compounded the Sharks day.

*Brothers Dale and Rhys Elmi shared a 165-run fourth wicket partnership to help Baden Powell put up 296 against Heatherhill. Left-handed Dale made 93 off 128 balls (13 fours) and Rhys hit 81 off 158 balls (10 fours). UK import James Spencer bowled superbly to take 6-68 off 20 overs in the heat for Heatherhill.