MPCA: Moorooduc vice president Kenny Cremen’s swipe at cheeky rivals

A suburban cricket club official has taken to social media to call out opponents who, he claims, said his club and players weren’t respected within the league.

Moorooduc has won three of its past three games in MPCA Peninsula Division. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A suburban cricket club official has taken aim at disrespecting rivals after his club’s First XI scored successive “against the odds” wins.

Moorooduc vice president Kenny Cremen was so proud after his Ducs defeated finals-bound Long Island by a run on Saturday that he took to Facebook to remind everyone that, “you should always respect your opponents in sport otherwise you can be made to look very silly’’.

Moorooduc’s win followed a similarly rousing win over Somerville in the previous round of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association’s second-tier Peninsula Division.

“A few opposition players in recent weeks were more than happy to make it known to our players that our club and our players aren’t respected throughout out the league,” Cremen posted, adding that he was sporting a cheeky smirk on his face as wrote.

“I really hope those opposition players get to read this and they understand now that we love it that way. It’s what fuels us to be the best club and the best players we can be and to prove the doubters wrong.”

Cremen said the Ducs regularly “punch above our weight”, and don’t shy away from a challenge.

“Yesterday’s gutsy win against the odds proves that you should always respect your opponents in sport at any level otherwise you can be made to look very silly when a result doesn’t go your way,” he wrote.

Kenny Cremen during the 2008-09 MPCA District Grand Final.

Moorooduc fields three senior teams and Cremen, as a past club president and player, has worked tirelessly over the years to keep the club going.

While the Ducs’ First XI can’t make finals with one round to go, they have certainly shaped the top four — and won respect — while giving opportunities to youngsters.

Six of their players on Saturday were under the age of 21.

Declan McWilliams bowled superbly to take 1-8 off eight overs, and Campbell Andersen’s direct-hit run out sealed a gripping victory as Long Island, in reply to Moorooduc’s 108, was dismissed for 107.

Andersen also delivered a match-winning spell of 4-27 off 18 overs.

Michael Whincup was also crucial for the Ducs, taking 4-69 from a marathon 28 overs.

Meanwhile, Mornington spinner Brendan Walsh captured 7-34 off 19.3 overs as the Bulldogs dismissed Seaford Tigers for 199 to bank their seventh win. Walsh, a former Ringwood premiership star, has taken 34 wickets, at a stunning average of 7.68, this season.

MPCA Peninsula ladder: Rosebud 132, Mt Eliza 108, Mornington 104, Long Island 92, Somerville 72, Moorooduc 72, Seaford 44, Seaford Tigers 24.