MPCA Provincial: All the talking points from Round 10
A pace injection and a key fielding plan are set to super-charge Baden Powell’s run to the MPCA Provincial finals, while Pines and Dromana were involved in a thriller and Langwarrin celebrated a special milestone in style. Here are the talking points from Round 10.
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On a three-game tear, Baden Powell has rocketed into finals contention in MPCA Provincial.
A frustrating first half of the season is a distant memory as the Braves have got on a roll with wins over Sorrento, Red Hill and Heatherhill to climb to sixth spot, eight points outside of the top four.
Can the rampaging BPs storm into finals?
“The ladder suggests we can but we just have to take it one week at a time,” Braves skipper Rhys Elmi said.
“It starts with Dromana this week and we blew it late against them last time and lost narrowly so we give ourselves every chance.”
On Saturday, Baden Powell restricted Heatherhill to 9-147 after Luke Long took 3-24 off 7 overs with his left-arm orthodox into the breeze, creating drift.
Taylor Harrison also impressed with 3-35.
In reply, the Braves made a fast start with Long blasting a run-a-ball 47 before being given out lbw.
Jobe Gardner made a vital 27.
Elmi steered his side to victory with 43no off 46 balls, continuing his excellent season with the stick (he’s up to 439 runs, at 54). The Braves achieved victory in the 33th over, making 6-150.
Elmi said Baden Powell’s depth was set for a boost with players returning.
“Brandon Tilley has come back from overseas — he was a gun junior and whipped 96 in the twos,’’ he said.
“And Ryan Barnett is back fit and firing and bowling quick which is exactly what we need. He was meant to play a fortnight back but had some hamstring issues. Harry Maxwell also should come back from a back issue. TK (Travis Kellerman) of course is also back so we are getting some depth.
“The other thing we’ve done well is picking 11 guys who can all field and cover the ground. It has been a huge reason as to why we’ve won the last three without a strike bowler.”
TAY TIME AS LANGY WINS IN MILESTONE MATCH
Taylor Smith became just the seventh player in Langwarrin’s history to play 150 First XI games.
And Smith’s great mate Matt Prosser made sure the milestone was celebrated in style, Prosser peeling off 98no off 89 balls (5 fours) to set up a resounding victory over Sorrento at Lloyd Park.
Langwarrin made 5-228 and then shot out Sorrento for 102.
Smith, Langy’s wicketkeeper, gave his usual reliable display behind the stumps, taking a catch and not conceding a bye.
Jake Prosser was the bowling star for Langwarrin, with 5-10 off 6.1 overs, triggering a Sorrento collapse. Earlier, Langy young gun Brodie Matthews scored his maiden half-century, 55 off 76 balls, with 5 flours.
HOWZAT! PINES PIP HOPPERS IN THRILLER
Pines regained top spot on the Provincial ladder with a gripping two-run win over Dromana. Dromana No. 11 Jye Voelkl was run out while attempting a second run on the second last ball of the match as Dromana (203) fell tantalising short of Pines’ 6-205. Pines fielder Grant Humphrey was the match winner, his bounce throw from deep mid-on to Ricky Ramsdale, who whipped of the bails, secured a memorable victory for the Piners. Ramsdale delivered a pivotal spell, taking 4-37 off 7.5 overs, while Declan Jackson, with 2-26 off 8 overs, was also outstanding. Dromana skipper Kierran Voelkl did all he could to get his side home, making 95 off 105 balls. Earlier, Pines dasher Nick Christides ignited his side with 61 off 63 balls and Harley Peacestirling made 50.
HILLMEN LAUNCH
Red Hill batters Harry Gouldstone (81no), Luke Jackson (46) and Simon Dart (35no) launched big sixes to fire the Hillmen to victory over Old Peninsula at The Chip. The win lifted the reigning premiers back into fourth spot, while Old Peninsula has slipped to second bottom, in relegation danger. Gouldstone and Dart are in the top five run scorers in Provincial this season (Dart has 412 and Gouldstone 364).
MPCA PROVINCIAL LADDER
Pines 90, Langwarrin 84, Dromana 78, Red Hill 56, Heatherhill 56, Baden Powell 48, Old Peninsula 36, Sorrento 36.
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