MPCA: Tones and I’s husband blasts match-winning innings for Frankston YCW

The husband of Australian pop megastar Tones and I blasted Frankston YCW to victory in a last-over thriller after a knee injury threatened to sink the Stonecats. Meanwhile, there were big scores and bags of wickets throughout the MPCA grades.

Tones and I and her husband Jason “Jimmy’’ Bedford, who played a match-winning innings for Frankston YCW on Saturday.

Talk about a see-sawing thriller.

Frankston YCW, wounded and depleted, scored a gripping win over Rye with two balls to spare in MPCA Sub-District on Saturday.

The Stonecats, chasing Rye’s 222, finished 8-224 — but they were effectively nine wickets down after opener Justin Little retired hurt on 11 with a suspected meniscus tear in his knee while running between wickets.

YCW captain and its best bat Jack Greenwood was also missing — he had a pre-organised trip away.

Little was padded up ready to go back out if required as the match reached a crescendo at Rye’s Rowley Reserve.

Jason Bedford scored 49 not out to steer Frankston YCW to victory. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

But Frankston YCW No. 8 Jason Bedford, who is married to pop star Tones and I, put Little and his teammates at ease with a superb, unbeaten 49 off 57 balls, including a gutsy shot over mid-off to bring up the winning runs.

“Bedders played an awesome innings,’’ Frankston YCW playing-coach Simon Draycott said.

“Little was padded up ready to come in if we needed him. I don’t know if he would have made it out to the middle to be honest.’’

Bedford is the son of MPCA legend Robbie Bedford, who’s batting brilliance won many a game for Frankston YCW over the years.

Earlier, YCW opener Kaedyn Hodgson (36) and No. 3 Josh Edwards (49) laid the foundations for the win before Josh Duncan (20) and Branden Fillis (21) made vital contributions in the middle order.

Bedford hit three boundaries and had a stirring battle with Rye spinner Ravi Palleguruge, who sent down a marathon 36 overs for a return of 4-63, with 12 maidens.

In other MPCA Sub-District games:

*Ballam Park opening bowler Ezra Hughes grabbed a stunning seven-wicket match haul to fire his side to an outright win over Skye. Hughes ran rampant to take 6-22 off 14.3 overs and flatten Skye for 78 in its second innings.

*Clean-hitting Jayden Regan blasted 61no off 66 balls (4 fours, 1 six) as Tyabb coasted to victory over Delacombe Park.

*Travis French peeled off 72 (7 fours) at the top of the list to steer Tootgarook to victory over Mt Martha. Matthew Whelan made 41 to go with his 5-27 on the opening day.

In Provincial, Old Peninsula No. 3 Tom La Brooy’s superb century (103) went in vain as Pines chased down the 207-run target on the back of Ricky Ramsdale (45), Jesse Jewiss (32), Billy Humphrey (32no) and Declan Jackson (28). Justin Grant took 4-32 for the Pirates after making 48.

Andrew Smith (3-25) and Trav Campbell (3-33) bowled Langwarrin to victory over Red Hill (127 all out chasing 179).

Jake Wood capped a brilliant match with 4-40 off 15.4 overs, to go with his 84, as Sorrento beat Baden Powell.

Undefeated Dromana comfortably defended its 297 as Jack Fowler (3-40) and Zacc Klan (2-31) helped dismiss Heatherhill for 190.

In other eye-catching performances:

*Baxter’s Andy Matheson (136 not out in A3) and Linton East (111 in A4) scored their maiden centuries.

*Mark Hale peeled off 115no for Pines in B1.

*Darren Still made 114no for Baden Powell in B1.

*In A4, Rodney Pettitt captured 8-17 off 12.4 for Carrum Downs.

*Crib Point’s Jack Knott nabbed 5-14 off 10.2 to dismiss Balnarring for 48 in A4.

*Balnarring’s seconds captain Rhys Weiser snared 6-34 off 27 overs following teammate Blake Milham’s 112.