Named: MPCA Teams of the Week

There was so shortage of headlines from Saturday’s Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association action. Here’s our four-flight MPCA Teams of the Week.

Bill Humphrey bowling for Pines. Picture: Valeriu Campan

With Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association contenders jostling for positions as we enter the home sttraight on season 2022-23, the competition’s upper class are beginning to deliver.

There were centuries, patient knocks and match-winning blows — all of which were taken into considering when selecting the Team of the Week.

Inclusive of each division, here are the MPCA Teams of the Week…

Chris Brittain.

Jake Wood.

PROVINCIAL

1. Nick Christides (Pines): The champion’s swashbuckling 55 (with 2 fours, 6 sixes) powered the Piners to an upset win over Red Hill and may just have saved them from relegation.

2. Corey Harris (Sorrento): Yet another half-century by the star opener, his 51 (10 fours) setting up victory for the Sharks over ladder leaders Old Peninsula.

3. Wade Pelzer (Old Peninsula): Exuding class, the left-hander made 112, his ninth century for the Pirates, and first ton in three years.

4. Chris Brittain (Langwarrin): After successive ducks, the Kangaroos skipper was full of determination when he came up against his former side Baxter. His unbeaten 83 off 77 balls was top-class.

5. Travis Campbell (Langwarrin): Was in everything as Langy beat Baxter. Made 55no off 80 balls, sharing an unbroken 144-run third wicket partnership with Chris Brittain, and then snared 1-29 as well as taking three catches, including a ripper.

6. Billy Humphrey (Pines): Led from the front in Pines’ memorable win over Red Hill, taking 3-44 with the new ball and then making 25 (6 fours) at the top of the list.

7. Uli Van Duyker (Long Island): Picked the perfect time to post his highest score for the Islanders, making 49 off 56 balls to put them on the path to victory over Baden Powell.

8. Mitch Bench (Sorrento): A serviceable performance by the all-rounder, making 10no and taking 3-29 in the Sharks win.

9. Jake Wood (Sorrento): The big all-rounder returned from suspension to make a telling impact, cracking 37 with the bat and taking 2-38 in Sorrento’s win over the top team.

10. Sam Prosser (Langwarrin): Opened the bowling with his left-arm slowies but it was his second spell that proved telling as he took 4-25 in Langy’s win.

11. Jackson Mockett (Langwarrin): The paceman bowled with fire and accuracy to take 3-21.

12th Man: Chris Hay (Long Island): Hit 36no off 23 balls (4 fours, 1 six) at No. 6 to steer the Islanders to victory.

Heatherhill’s Kristian Miller.

Luke Kranzbuhler.

PENINSULA

1. Sam Fowler (Dromana): The Rat rattled off 83 off 93 balls (with 8 fours, 1 six) at the top of the list in the Hoppers’ crucial win over Flinders. He also claimed the big scalp of Matt Gale.

2. Brenton Alp (Somerville): The gun opener top scored with 80, going past 300 runs for the season, in the Eagles’ gripping run chase win over Moorooduc.

3. Sam Gove (Flinders): The teenage star fell just short of a third century for the season when he belted 93 (with 10 fours and 4 sixes), taking his tally to 387, at 48.

4. Josh Small (Mornington): Made a patient 64 at the top of the list to help set up the Bulldogs’ critical win over Mt Eliza.

5. Kristian Miller (Heatherhill): The Hills skipper made 47 and took two catches and a run out behind the stumps in his side’s win over ladder leading Seaford Tigers.

6. Tom Panich (Mornington): The stylish right-hander scored his first half-century of the season, 56, to help the Bulldogs put up a winning score against Mt Eliza.

7. Isaac Harrison (Somerville): The UK import turned in a man-of-the-match performance in Somey’s win over Moorooduc, taking 4-46 and hitting a vital 36.

8. Adeel Hussain (Heatherhill): The paceman was at his hostile best taking 4-45 to spark the Hills to their best victory of the summer.

9. Jack Kennedy (Somerville): The talented all-rounder batted beautifully for 36 not out to steer the Eagles to victory after going in at a crucial stage. He also took 1-33.

10. Jack Lavery (Heatherhill): Was crucial in the Hills’ thrilling win over Seaford Tigers, making 12no at No. 10 and then taking 2-25 with the ball.

11. Sachitha Jayatilake (Mt Eliza): The Mounties newcomer impressed with 4-27 against Mornington.

12th Man: Luke Kranzbuhler (Seaford Tigers): Made a season-best 83 in a gallant bid to lift the Tigers.

Brad Lockhart.

Brad Davidson.

DISTRICT

1. Jonathon Guthrie (Delacombe Park): The Delacombe Park opener sneaks into the opening frame after a slimmer week for top-order bats. His 39 was the second-highest score for openers in the District flight.

2. Brad Lockhart (Carrum Downs): The Cougars gloveman posted 62 at the top, guiding his side to a strong first innings total. Lockhart’s performance earns him the gloves in this side.

3. Harry Nunn (Main Ridge): Nunn top scored for Main Ridge with 54 from number five. He scoots up the order for being one of few players to record a fifty.

4. Scott Manders (Seaford): The Tigers were at a cross-roads when Manders strolled to the crease at 3-55 in pursuit of Hastings’ 5-178, but his knock of 65 not out sealed a much-needed triumph.

5. Ben Bradley-Bridge (Delacombe Park): After losing 3-0, Bradley-Bridge’s unbeaten 48 propelled Delacombe Park to a solid total, before his 4-48 confirmed victory.

6. Sean Hewitt (Hastings): Hewitt’s unblemished 55 gave the Blues a chance in their first innings.

7. Brad Davidson (Crib Point): The experienced Magpie bowled strictly for his 3-24 off eight overs before chipping in at the back end of the successful run chase with an unbeaten 15.

8. Daniel Streker (Delacombe Park): Streker combined with Bradley-Bridge in the first innings with a quick-fire 52 not out before also jagging 3-39 with the ball.

9. Ryan Lynch (Carrum Downs): Lynch knocked the top off Rosebud by dismissing the two Sharks openers on his way to 2-19 off eight.

10. Lachlan Imlach (Carrum Downs): Imlach ran through Rosebud’s middle order with 3-23 off eight, including the scalps of both Nagel brothers (Pat and Ash).

11. Sam Jones (Rosebud): Rosebud’s left-arm spinner claimed 2-21 from his eight overs.

Nathan Prosser.

Ben Williams.

SUB-DISTRICT

1. Luke Hewitt (Balnarring): The Saints skipper fired off seven sixes in his enchanting 102, steering his side home in their big chase.

2. Kaedyn Hodgson (Frankston YCW): After losing his opening partner without a run on the board, Hodgson rallied his side to victory with a crucial 97 not out. The promising player also delivered with the ball, jagging 1-38.

3. Matthew Whelan (Tootgarook): Whelan sent six balls to the fence and nine over it in a swashbuckling knock of 121 not out.

4. Jarrod White (Tyabb): White’s 57 from 104 balls anchored Tyabb’s innings and allowed others to launch freely later on. It was the compact left-hander’s third fifty of the summer.

5. Paul Nelson (Tyabb): The ‘20-21 league medalist complemented his 1-29 off eight overs with a match-winning 41 not out from just 32 balls. His third six – the blow that sealed victory on the third-last ball – could very well be a sliding doors moment in the Yabbies’ season.

6. Josh Swainston (Pearcedale): Chipped in neatly for Pearcedale in its first win of the summer, adding 25 off 22 at the top before claiming 3-18 off eight with the ball.

7. Nathan Prosser (Pearcedale): Prosser wicket keeps in this side after top scoring with 43, taking four catches and keeping a clean sheet.

8. Jett Williams (Pearcedale): While at the top of Pearcedale’s order, Williams finishes this lengthy batting order as his 15 with the bat doesn’t seal his position, but his 4-31 does.

9. Mikis Vemis (Mt Martha): The teenager claimed 3-23 before almost navigating his side to victory with a late order cameo of 19.

10. Sean Spencer (Boneo): The Ballam Park innings was flying before Spencer broke through for Boneo. His 3-35 – including the scalps of Pradeep De Silva and Gabriel Lawrence – halted the Knights in their tracks.

11. Ben Williams (Frankston YCW): Williams was the pick of the opening bowlers on Saturday with 2-27 from seven overs.