Runs flow for Bentleigh Uniting young guns

Josh Bregazzi and Campbell James hit centuries and a record partnership for Bentleigh Uniting in the South East association.

Josh Bregazzi and Campbell James.

Two talented teenagers were the toast of Bentleigh Uniting after a club-record partnership in the South East Cricket Association on Saturday.

Josh Bregazzi, 17, and Campbell James, 18, both hit centuries as they put on 264 for the second wicket in the Quiney Shield match against Kingston Heath.

Bregazzi pounded 180 off only 112 balls, with 13 sixes and 19 fours.

It was the sixth-highest score in the club’s history.

James cracked 110 not out off 97 balls, with 3 sixes and eight boundaries.

It was a maiden century for both players on a day when all Uniting’s senior teams won.

Uniting blitzed 4-323 off 40 overs and dismissed Kingston Heath to 243.
In Longmuir Shield, Brighton Union maintained its grip on third spot and made Le Page Park’s task a bit tougher with a fine run chase down at Newspaper Corner.

Le Page posted a useful 7-206 in with opener Andy Trease (67) and Pete Mentiplay (45) the main contributors for the Panthers in what was a must-win game for them.

But Union had other ideas and they set after the Le Page bowling from the outset with Weerasingha Dilranga and Darian Kuzma (27) setting the tone with a bright opening stand of 43 before Kuzma was superbly run out via a direct hit.

Sterling cameos from Aaron Gregory (45) and Phil Falvo (41no) kept Union well ahead of the required run rate and allowed Dilranga to play a calm and controlled innings all the way through to the end.

He finished undefeated on 68 as the Hoops cruised in at 4-209 with six overs in hand on a lightning-fast outfield which offered no protection for the bowlers.

Elwood had another resounding win, this time over Mackie. Mackie managed 146 with Suhas Jadhav (44) doing best against the Beach Boys’ young pacemen Will McCarthy (3-24) and Finn Bonighton (2-18).

The target proved easy for Elwood as Trent Fitzgerald (35) got it off to a flyer and then Lachie Harris (57no) and Nathan Harris (53no) added an unbeaten 110-run partnership as the Woods passed the target with only one wicket lost. It enhanced their hold on fourth spot on the table.

East Sandringham also had an easy win, over Bentleigh ANA.

ANA were in pretty good shape at 3-129 but the dismissal of Bill Biggs (54) triggered a momentum swing to East and then Billy Phelan (6-35) ran through the rest of the batting card.

ANA was dismissed for 174. The East response was swift through Matthew Harris (77no) and Chris Diggle (59) and they required only 29 overs to chase the runs with only two wickets lost.

Kingston Heath was well set at 2-103 against Bentleigh Untiing with Tom Morecroft (41) and Anthony Reid (50) in control.

But Buddika De Alwis (3-28) dismissed both in quick succession and then Malin Silva (3-22) joined the spin tandem and the Golfers were held to 156.

Uniting lost both openers cheaply but Silva has been a revelation since moving up to No 3 and he peeled off a fine 66 and with excellent support from Tom Backman (37) and Craig Short (27no) the Lions did it comfortably, finishing at 3-160.

In Woolnough Shield Carnegie South and West Bentleigh solidified their positions in the top four with solid wins, Washington Park had a big win over Le Page Park with Chris Williamson (77no) and Jason Olson (54) combining for a 122-run stand, and Omega got over the line against CHAG by six runs in a thriller.

CHAG needed seven runs off the last over but lost wickets off the first two balls and came up just short.

Meanwhile West Bentleigh veteran Neil Hartlett plays his 500th game for the club this Saturday. He started his career with the club in 1973.