MPCA: Pines beats Sorrento on back of Harley Peace-Stirling’s unbeaten 109

A Pines star hit a top-drawer century, Red Hill’s bowlers sparked a stunning revival and Long Island kickstarted its season in style...all in an action-packed round of MPCA Provincial.

Harley Peace-Stirling of Pines was all concentration during his match-winning unbeaten century against Sorrento on Saturday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

He started the day under the pump but finished it pumping the air in jubilation.

Harley Peace-Stirling carried Pines’ winning hopes as he strode to the crease at 5-51 against a fired-up Sorrento at Pat Rollo Reserve on Saturday.

The Piners, chasing 113 for victory, needed him to stay there and do the bulk of the scoring.

That he did, and more.

Peace-Stirling batted all day to make an unbeaten 109 off 145 balls, with 10 fours and 2 sixes, as Pines finished 8-217 off 60 overs.

Connor Jackson. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Jake Wood of Sorrento appeals unsuccessfully for a wicket. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

He shared a match-winning 122-run sixth wicket partnership with a resolute Connor Jackson, who made 37 off 128 balls, lasting the 48th over. He’d done his job.

And they did it against one of the premier pacemen in the MPCA, Sorrento quickie Jake Wood, who charged in all game to take 5-57 off 21 overs.

Pines have won three in a row to sit on top of the ladder after five rounds in MPCA Provincial.

*Red Hill moved to fourth spot after producing a memorable bowling display to beat Baden Powell at Overport Park. Defending 161, the Hillmen were up against it when Baden Powell rushed to 0-72. But James O’Connell (2-31), Simon Dart (2-40), Brent Martin (3-56 off 29 overs) and Rhys Hewitt (2-9) led a Red Hill revival, making regular strikes to dismiss the home side for 148. Hewitt took the last two wickets.

Sorrento appeal unsuccessfully for a wicket on Saturday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

*Long Island kickstarted its season with a rousing win over reigning premiers Old Peninsula. Matt Shimell (4-26) and Michael Burke (3-24) were the chief destroyers as the Islanders, defending 261, shot out the Pirates for 115. Long Island keeper Aiden McKenna, after making 70 with the bat, snared two catches and a stumping off paceman Shimell to complete a great game. It was the Islanders’ first win of the season.

*Langwarrin improved its record to 4-1 with a 64-run win over Heatherhill. Jackson Mockett grabbed 3-30 and teenage leggie Kylan Mitchell 2-10 as Langy dismissed the Hills fir 170.