MPCA grand final shake-up after ineligible player ruling and reports

An MPCA semi-final result has been sensationally overturned, while two key players’ hopes of playing in a grand final will be decided at the tribunal. Details from a controversial first week of finals…

Controversy has engulfed the biggest week of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season.

In Peninsula 2nds, Baxter’s resounding win over Mt Eliza in last weekend’s semi-final has been overturned after it was ruled to have played an ineligible player.

Baxter’s Christian Saker was found to have fallen half-a-game short of the five game qualification for a final.

Baxter (201) beat Mt Eliza (130) in the semi, but Mt Eliza will meet Somerville in the grand final.

On Tuesday afternoon, Baxter notified the MPCA it was appealing the decision.

“We’re going to base it on the flawed system with PlayHQ, how it doesn’t recognise a 12th man,’’ Baxter president Steve Harvey said.

Harvey said the MPCA sent an email to clubs last Friday, “recognising there was a fault, allowing players that aren’t qualified to be submitted’’.

“And that was sent on Friday at 12 o’clock and teams have already been submitted,’’ he said.

“So they recognised there was a flaw in the system as well.’’

Harvey hoped Baxter’s seconds would be allowed to compete in the grand final, starting Saturday.

“We’re just going to have a throw at the stumps, see what they say,’’ he said.

“We’ll try and explore all avenues, we just don’t feel it’s right.’’

Earlier on Tuesday, Harvey said having Baxter’s win overturned was a hard pill to swallow.

“It leaves a sour taste in our mouths when we clearly beat them and this kid is only 17,’’ he said.

Harvey said he felt deeply for the young Baxter players who have had their flag dream taken away.

“I’m going to meet the players tonight and go through it because they’re absolutely shattered,’’ Harvey said.

“Seven of those 11 players are under 21. You feel for those young guys because particularly the young players were the ones who got them over the line on the weekend, Jye Dignan got seven wickets and young Jacob Hutchison got 70.

“They’re the young players who are the future of your club and to see them mature and get a result and then to have it taken away like that is pretty disappointing.’’

Harvey added: “Unfortunately human errors happen. The reality is as a club we need to have our governance better so we’ve got to swallow that hard pill.’’

Boneo are chasing their first First XI flag since 1979-80. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Meanwhile, Boneo, which will contest the Sub-District grand final, faces a nervous wait with two of its key players to front the MPCA tribunal on Wednesday night.

Samson Storey and Ryan Jellie were reported for disputing an umpires decision and dissent during their win over Tyabb in the semi-final last weekend.

Boneo will chase its first flag in 45 years when it meets Mt Martha in the grand final this weekend.

The Pandas’ 1979-80 premiership remains their one and only First XI flag.