MPCA Provincial: Kristian Miller’s 119 keeps Heatherhill’s finals hopes alive

Kristian Miller scored his 10th century for Heatherhill on Saturday — and then declared the Hills can “definitely” make finals in MPCA Provincial.

Heatherhill champion Kristian Miller. Picture: Facebook

Agony and ecstasy — it’s all on the table in MPCA Provincial with two rounds to go.

The ladder is intriguing after 12 completed rounds.

Such is the closeness of the competition, there are teams that could either win the premiership or get relegated.

Rousing wins by Sorrento and Heatherhill on Saturday have set up a must-see finish to the season.

Langwarrin, Pines and Dromana make up the top three, then there’s a gap back to the rest — and that’s where it gets interesting.

Fighting out fourth spot are reigning premiers Red Hill and Heatherhill. Mathematically, both could still finish on the bottom, albeit that is highly unlikely.

On Saturday, Heatherhill champion Kristian Miller scored a resolute 119 to fire his side to a stunning victory over Old Peninsula at the Grammar school.

The 30-year-old’s 10th century for the Hills (and 12th overall) thrust them back into finals contention on the eve of March.

Chasing 255 for victory, Heatherhill got there in the second last over, with English import James Spencer (7no) hitting the winning runs as the visitors reached 7-255 off 79.1 overs. Miller shared a 144-run third wicket partnership with Jake Theobald, who made 60. The pair took the score from 2-50 to 2-194.

Old Peninsula champion Justin Grant was gallant in defeat, making 123 and taking 5-88 off 23 overs in the heat.

Jake Theobald had an outstanding match with 60 and four wickets. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Heatherhill bowlers Adeel Hussain (5-52) and Theobald (4-89) also played key roles, combining to take nine of the Pirates’ 10 wickets.

The steely batting display by Heatherhill comes only a fortnight after it was shot out for 40 by Red Hill.

Miller yet again stood up when his team needed him. He was dismissed with the Hills needing only six runs to win, but his epic knock in oppressive heat will long be remembered.

“It’s just nice to do it and get a big win, that’s the main thing,’’ Miller said.

“You hit an age where you really start to understand your game. When you start to make runs, it’s like, ‘what was I doing all those other innings?’.

“It’s not that you have gotten any better or worse, it’s a better understanding of what you’re doing. Very enjoyable.’’

Heatherhill faces Sorrento and Pines in the last two rounds and Miller said his side could “definitely’’ make finals.

“One game at a time but there’s a real good feeling,’’ he said.

“It’s sort of up to us now, if we can win those two games we know we deserve to be there. If not, it’s not to be. But we’ve got a real good feeling at the moment.’’

Miller labelled Heatherhill’s win as “one of the best I’ve been a part of’’.

WOOD LEADS SHARKS TO VITAL WIN, 10K UP FOR BOBBY

Sorrento stunned flag contenders Dromana in a one-day match at McFarlane Reserve to revive its hopes of avoiding relegation. Oliver Hanrahan (42, with 5 fours and 1 six), Matthew Rulach (40no off 40 balls) and Corey Harris (35) helped Sorrento to 7-206 off 40 overs after stand-in skipper Jake Wood won the toss and batted (Wood took the reins, with Dimitri Mascarenhas away playing for England in the International Masters League T20 tournament in India). In reply, Dromana fell 28 short of victory, dismissed for 179 in the 39th over. Kierran Voelkl (56) did best for the Hoppers, while Bobby Wilson, in making 36, went past 10,000 runs in first XI cricket in the MPCA — a mighty milestone. Wood, Hanrahan and Liam O’Connor took two wickets apiece as Sorrento, although still on the bottom, drew level on 48 points with Baden Powell and Old Peninsula.

LANGY PUTS BRAVES IN A SPIN

Langwarrin skipper Rick Damiano made 80 off 96 balls to set up his side’s victory over Baden Powell. Damiano’s knock, with support from opener Jack Marget (63) and young gun Brodie Matthews (37), helped Langy to 9-263 declared. Baden Powell’s reply got off to a shaky start when opener Daniel Di Paolo was run out by Andrew Smith on the third ball of the innings before a run had been scored. Jobe Gardner (48), Rhys Elmi (22) and Travis Kellerman (29) tried to rebuild the run chase for the Braves but they all fell to Langwarrin tweaker Jake Prosser, who had a day out, taking 6-45 off 24.5 overs. BP tailender Mitch Dunn (22no) offered resistance.

PINES CEMENT SECOND SPOT

Jordan Dowell and Declan Jackson took four wickets apiece to bowl Pines to victory over Red Hill in a re-match of last season’s grand final. Chasing 184, Red Hill lost regular wickets to be dismissed for 120, with Dowell taking 4-35 off 14.4 overs and Jackson 4-48 off 16 overs. It was the Piners eighth win, cementing second spot.

Ladder: Langwarrin 108, Pines 102, Dromana 90, Red Hill 68, Heatherhill 68, Baden Powell 48, Old Peninsula 48, Sorrento 48.