MPCA: Jake Wood inspires Sorrento’s fight back against Baden Powell

A Sorrento star’s batting blitz, a Langwarrin fight-back and Dromana’s dazzling batting were among the highlights in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

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

A Jake Wood blitz turned the Sorrento-Baden Powell MPCA Provincial match on its head on Saturday.

With his Sharks wobbling at 6-58 off 25 overs, Wood walked to the crease with aggression in his eyes.

His first four scoring shots were 6,6,6,6.

The pressure valve had eased and Sorrento suddenly had momentum.

Wood went on with it, smacking 84 off 75 balls (2 fours, 8 sixes) and sharing a 136-run seventh wicket partnership with Rhys Musgrave as the Sharks posted 200.

Musgrave, batting at No. 7, contributed a vital 45 off 91 balls, with 3 fours and 2 sixes.

Having to face 22 overs before stumps, Baden Powell again felt the force of Wood’s aggression. The big quickie bowled with venom to take 2-20 as Baden Powell reached 4-60 by stumps.

Jake Wood.

Matthew Rulach. (Photos by Josh Chadwick)

Sorrento skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas said Baden Powell opened the bowling with a spinner and the tactic worked on the slow MacFarlane Reserve oval before Wood snatched back the momentum.

“They tied our top order down, they bowled really well,’’ he said.

“Jake (Wood) really took it to them, his first four scoring shots were sixes. He did what needed to be done, he spread the field and gave himself opportunities for a lot of ones. But to be fair he kept hitting sixes, I think he hit eight sixes in all.’’

Mascarenhas described Wood as “a star of the competition’’ and said he deserved a century.

“It’s a shame he didn’t get a hundred,” he said.

“He hasn’t got a hundred yet for Sorrento so he won’t get a better opportunity than that.

“There was plenty of time left for him — just under 30 overs (remaining) when he got out.”

Baden Powell’s bowling was led by English spinner Jack Gorbert (3-22 off 15.1 overs), Luke Long (4-60) and Michael Ballard (2-37).

Mascarenhas said Sorrento still had “heaps of work’’ to secure victory when the game resumes next Saturday.

“We know they’ve got some good players, Rhys (Elmi) the captain we know he’s a very good player so he’s going to be a crucial wicket for us next Saturday,” he said.

Jake Prosser led a Langwarrin fight back.

In other games:

*Langwarrin co-coach Jake Prosser made 88 and combined with his brother Sam to rescue the Kangaroos against a Simon Dart-inspired Red Hill. Dart grabbed four early wickets to have Langy swaying on the ropes at 6-33 before Jake and Sam (24 off 166 balls) led a rebuild with a 107-run partnership, helping their side to 178. In reply, Red Hill lost opener Riley Shaw (0) to be 1-5. Dart finished with 4-16 off 14 overs, while spinner Brent Martin took 4-69 from a marathon 31.2 overs and Harrison Borthwick 2-55 off 24.

*A 109-run opening stand between Beau Anthony and Sam Fowler fired Dromana to 8-297 against Heatherhill. Anthony blasted 69 off 71 balls (10 fours, 1 six), while Fowler made 73 off 143 balls. The runs continued to flow as Kierran Voelkl (28), Madu Perera (46no), Dale Irving (27) and Jack Fowler (22) played positively. Kieran Lenehan (3-51) and Englishman James Spencer (3-45) took three wickets apiece.

In Peninsula division:

*Mt Eliza opening bowler Rueben Higgins snared 4-36 to help dismiss Moorooduc for 182.

*Former Test leg-spinner Bryce McGain delivered a marathon 31.3 over spell to take 5-61 for Mornington and help dismiss Seaford for 152.

*Brad McDonald (62), Jack Barbour (61) and Isaac Harrison (58) cracked half-centuries as Somerville put up 8-270 against Long Island.

Chamika Sattambi bowling for Baxter. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In District:

*Englishman James Abbotts packed 6 fours and 4 sixes into a splendid knock of 116 for Carrum Downs, which posted 242 against Baxter. Chamika Sattambi took 5-74 for Baxter.

*Jackson Hannah (54) top-scored for Balnarring as the Saints put up 277 against Carrum. Mark Walles (39), Patrick Nickeas (31no) and Darcy Warmbrunn (30) also impressed. Dylan Ridgway took four wickets for Carrum.

*Shaun Cairns (5-28 off 19.5 overs) bowled Flinders into a strong position against Main Ridge, which was shot out for 114. In reply, the Sharks were 6-90 at stumps.

*Samson Storey took 4-41 as Boneo dismissed Crib Point for 139. Storey then made an unbeaten 31 to help Boneo to 2-48 in reply at stumps.

In Sub-District:

*Ben Ashworth (52), Adam Ciavarella (41 off 125 balls) and Charlie Wigg (29) set up Rye’s 222 against Frankston YCW. Branden Fillis had a good day with the ball for the Stonecats, taking 5-92 off 34 overs.

*Ballam Park captain Will Borthwick ripped through the Skye batting line-up, taking six wickets to shoot out the Burras for 99. In reply, Ballam Park was on the way to victory at 2-75.

*Tyabb’s Lachlan Hose (5-13 off 9 overs) and James Holland-Burch (3-36) combined to dismiss Delacombe Park for 98. In reply, the Yabbies were 3-53.

*Tootgarook’s Matthew Whelan (5-27) and Evin Parslow (3-35) helped dismiss Mt Martha for 133. Whelan then cracked 39no as the Frogs reached 1-72 at stumps in reply.