MPCA: Sorrento storms into MPCA Provincial finals as Pines finishes on top

Seb Gotch has led Sorrento to a finals-securing victory while Heatherhill survived — and a Rye batter blitzed his fourth century since Christmas. It’s all in the MPCA wrap.

Seb Gotch has led Sorrento into the MPCA Provincial finals. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Seb Gotch’s Sorrento will shoot for premiership glory after a barnstorming finish to the Mornington Peninsula cricket season.

Emotions ran high on Saturday when the former Victorian cricketer steered the Sharks into fourth spot on the Provincial ladder with a tense 37-run win over Baden Powell in the last round — punching a finals ticket that looked unlikely only a few weeks ago.

Gotch, in his first season as Sorrento captain-coach, gave his players a “license to thrill” three weeks ago after the Sharks slipped a game out of the four following a loss to Long Island in Round 12.

“We have to play aggressive cricket,’’ he said at the time.

It worked; Sorrento finished with a rush and will now face minor premiers Pines in a semi-final.

Liam O'Connor.

Corey Harris. Pictures: Valeriu Campan

On Saturday, a brilliant all-round performance by former skipper Liam O’Connor fired Sorrento to victory.

He made 46 off 40 balls in the Sharks’ 8-198 and then took 5-23 off 6.4 overs with his probing mediums, including a spectacular diving return catch to dismiss Travis Kellerman (37), to help dismiss the Braves for 161 in the 34th over.

Earlier, Gotch made 24, Luke Kranzbuhler 35, Matthew Rulach 30 and Corey Harris 29 for Sorrento.

Meanwhile, Pines finished on top after a five-wicket win over Old Peninsula. Nick Christides blazed 73 off 64 balls (6 fours, 6 sixes) as the Piners rushed to 5-188 in reply to the Pirates' 185 all out. Declan Jackson captured 5-32 off 8 overs for the winners.

Red Hill edged Langwarrin in a last-over thriller — and the teams will meet again in a semi-final next weekend, having finished second and third respectively. Glenn Collett (3-23) set the scene for the Hillmen with a fiery opening spell and Simon Dart (1-10 off 8) applied pressure before Rhys Hewitt (2-13) and Tom Dyson (2-34) chimed in. Leigh Patterson top scored for Langy with 44. Dart then made 50 to anchor the successful run chase, Red Hill (8-150) winning with three balls to spare.

Heatherhill will remain in Provincial after beating Long Island in the relegation match. With Frankston Peninsula’s Aidan Lenehan making 57 not out off 53 balls and Jake Theobald 66 not out, the Hills ran down Long Island’s 9-184 with seven wickets and four overs to spare. Long Island dropped to the bottom and was relegated.

Spencer Wilton bowling for Crib Point.

Shaun Foster sends one down for Carrum. Picture: Hamish Blair

*Carrum secured a finals berth in District with a rousing win over Balnarring. Shaun Foster (63), Jake D’Atri (52no) and Liam Hulett (37no) guided the Lions to 2-195 before Balnarring replied with 7-180; Foster taking 3-27 and D’Atri 2-34.

*In MPCA Sub-District, Rye captain Nathan Hunt blitzed his fourth century since Christmas when he blasted 123 off 61 balls against Boneo on Saturday. The Demons opener belted 7 sixes and 15 fours in a sizzling knock at Boneo Reserve. It followed scores of 111, 101 and 133 — giving him a competition-high 691 runs at 49.36 for the season.

*Mornington No. 4 Mitchell Goddard cracked 110 not out off 98 balls (with 13 fours) in the Dogs’ win over Baxter. Former Test man Bryce McGain snared 4-22 off 8 overs.

*Brad Davidson (52no), Angus Cripps (56) and Spencer Wilton (41) set up Crib Point’s win over Delacombe Park. Matt Blake put the icing on with a five-wicket haul.

*Former Australian all-rounder Brett Geeves took a wicket and made 25 for Tootgarook but the Frogs were beaten by finals-bound Tyabb, inspired by young spinner Lachlan Hose (4-9 off 8 overs).

*Carrum Downs gun Gordon Waterfall smacked 116 not out off 123 balls in the Cougars win over minor premiers Seaford. Waterfall has racked up 582 runs this season at 48.5. His teammate Rob Johnston was also in the runs, making 38 not out off 28 balls — he’s averaging 99.75, with 399 runs on the board.