MPCA: Red Hill scores thrilling victory while Sorrento stuns Old Peninsula

Red Hill captain Adam Slack fulfilled every cricketer’s dream by smacking the last ball of the game for six on Saturday.

Adam Slack batting for Red Hill. Picture: Valeriu Campan

They’re calling it the Slack Whack.

With his side needing five runs to win off the last ball of the game, Red Hill captain-coach Adam Slack smashed a straight six to clinch a breathtaking victory over Baxter at Greg Beck Oval in MPCA Provincial on Saturday.

Adam Slack.

It was the sort of finish cricketers dream about.

Slack, who finished on 98 not out, was mobbed by excited teammates as Red Hill claimed its second win of the season to ease relegation fears.

In one of the games of the season, Baxter put up 6-207 off its 40 overs, with opener Yohan Maddege (57), No.3 Chris Brittain (54) and Joe Rule (29) in crisp form.

In reply, Red Hill slumped to 3-12 as Baxter pace duo Dale Irving and Adeel Hussain struck early blows.

Old Peninsula bowler Rhis Whitling goes at Sorrento. Picture: Valeriu Campan

But Slack revived his side’s hopes, rebuilding the innings with the support of Matt Merifield (15), Damian Sullivan (41) and Tom Collett (37).

And after 79.5 overs and over 400 runs, the game hinged on the final ball; Slack whacking Chamika Sattambi over long on.

“It’s a bit unbelievable to be honest,’’ Slack said on Sunday morning.

“I thought I got a good piece of it. It only just got over the bloke on the boundary. I thought when I hit it it was a good chance and I was yelling at it to get up, and luckily it did.’’

Slack said he was thrilled to see his teammates so happy.

“Everyone was pumped. It’s been a tough year. I don’t think we’ve been playing bad cricket, we just haven’t been winning games,’’ he said.

“Hopefully that kicks starts the rest of the season for us.’’

Slack’s 104-ball innings featured 8 fours and one six.

Sorrento opener Jedd Falck on the drive. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Reigning premiers Sorrento gave a reminder of its bowling power, shooting out ladder leaders Old Peninsula for 94 to set up a comfortable five-wicket victory.

Jake Wood (2-28), Mitch Bench (2-7), skipper Bobby Wilson (2-12) and Liam O’Connor (2-0) swept through the Pirates batting line up, the innings lasting only 36.4 overs.

Bench took the new ball and removed Pirates big guns Dylan O’Malley and Wade Pelzer in consecutive balls.

“After we got early wickets we went pace off which seemed to work,’’ Wilson said.

Young left-arm spinner Matt Rulach (0-16 off 8 overs) bowled beautifully.

“We took our catches early and it was one of those days whoever we threw the ball to bowled well,’’ Wilson said.

Sorrento skipper Bobby Wilson on the attack. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In reply, Sorrento achieved victory in the 33rd over, with opener Jedd Falck (44) and O’Connor (15no) leading the way.

Sorrento climbed to fourth spot, while it was Old Peninsula’s first loss of the season.

Langwarrin’s season is gaining traction, the Kangaroos beating fourth-placed Baden Powell to make it three wins on the spin.

Jayde Herrick celebrated his 36th birthday with a quick fire 45 off 47 balls at the top of Langy’s list and skipper Trav Campbell chimed in with 44 as Langwarrin put up 185. Zacc Klan was the pick of Baden Powell’s bowlers with 4-45.

In reply, Baden Powell loomed as a winning hope at 2-76, but when Matt Prosser ran out Rhys Elmi (32 off 33) the momentum swung Langwarrin’s way and the Braves were dismissed for 151.

Young Langy spinner Kyle Parrott impressed with 3-29 off 8 overs and Prosser snared 2-27.

Old Peninsula players celebrate a wicket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Ben Clements top scored with 46 in Mornington’s three-wicket win over Mt Eliza.

The Bulldogs restricted the Mounties to 7-159 and then passed the target with three overs to spare.

Brad Staff (3-31) and Matt Foon (2-12 off 8 overs) were the multiple wicket takers for Mornington, while Sam Glenn (43), Josh Goudge (34) and Tim Strickland (33) led the scoring for Mt Eliza.

Zac Garnett (26) got Mornington’s run chase off to a solid start before Clements shared a 51-run fifth wicket partnership with Anthony Gapes (23). Shane Hockey (23) chipped in.

Glenn (2-37) and Nick Strickland (2-9) did best with the ball for Mt Eliza.

In Peninsula, Tom Boxell scored his first century for Long Island, 100 not out, to steer the Islanders to a four-wicket victory over Heatherhill.

Boxell cracked a boundary through mid-wicket to bring up both his ton and victory as Long Island, in reply to 6-180, made 6-181 off 37.3 overs.

Boxell also snared 3-35 with the ball.

Earlier, Heatherhill skipper Kristian Miller batted beautifully to make 95 — he was run out scrambling for quick runs.

Sorrento batsman Corey Harris swings hard. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pines run machine Damien Lawrence joined the 99 not out club as he starred in his side’s gripping four-run win over Seaford Tigers.

His top-notch knock helped the Piners to 4-178 off 40 overs.

Lawrence then turned match winner with the ball, grabbing 3-11, including the key scalp of Tigers skipper Dave James (51), as the Tigers fell tantalisingly short for 174.

Harley Parker was also crucial with 3-19.

An impressive batting display helped Flinders overpower Moorooduc and bank its fourth win in a row.

In reply to the Ducs’ 8-181, Flinders scored freely as Andy Power (72no) and Matt Gale (62) shared a 124- run partnership, the Sharks rushing to 3-182 off 31 overs.

Earlier, Kane Hawkins snared 3-33 and Gale 2-28.

For Moorooduc, Mathew Lonsdale made 55 and Kasun Perera 49.

Main Ridge kept its finals hopes alive with a rousing 36-run win over Somerville.

Charlie Banks (35), Ed Aarons (25) and Mick Holmes (22) set up the Cougars’ 8-165 before Oliver McEncroe (3-39) and James Abbott (3-7) sent Somerville crashing all out for 129.

Brad McDonald and Luke Rowe top scored for Somey with 27.