Veterans Cricket Victoria: Mornington Peninsula Over 50s win flag

Mornington Peninsula’s inaugural Over 50s cricket side has completed a dream debut season by winning the Victorian grand final.

Many were old rivals.

Some knew each other, others didn’t.

When the inaugural Mornington Peninsula Over 50s side was formed in November, the aim was little more than to have fun and make friends.

Well, that was achieved — and much more.

On Sunday, the side — affectionately self-named the Hammerheads and captained by Dave “Scabs” Martin — went all the way to premiership glory, beating Garfield Tynong in the Veterans Cricket Victoria Over 50’s Lyrebird Shield grand final at AH Butler Oval.

The close-knit Hammerheads were undefeated, winning all five games they played.

Martin led a talented side that was quietly determined to achieve a slice of history.

Mornington Peninsula’s batting had fired in all games and it was the case again in the flag decider, the Hammerheads putting up 3-223 off 40 overs.

Openers Henry Dolphin (40 retired off 68 balls) and Brendon Gardner (18 off 21) got the innings off to a strong start before Chris Lanting cracked 40 retired off 50.

Dolphin enjoyed a brilliant season, scoring 40 retired without being dismissed in all four games he played.

Brendon Gardner (facing) and Henry Dolphin batting at Jindivick.

Left-hander Al Davie upped the tempo with a free-flowing 42 retired off 35 balls, with four boundaries, and shared a 70-run partnership with skipper Martin (26 off 32).

Impressive ball striking by John Harrison (29no off 23) and Brian Parton (17no off 11) pushed the score beyond 200.

In reply, Garfield Tynong lost an early wicket when Harrison disturbed the woodwork before Davie combined with Neil Franks for a sizzling run out as the Hammerheads took control.

Craig Burch (2-25 off 7 overs) kept the pressure on before Jason “Jugga” Nagel flattened the visitors with two wickets (both bowled) in his opening over and went on with the job to grab 4-5 off 4.2 overs as Garfield was rolled for 97 in 32.3 overs.

Players from Mornington Peninsula’s Over 60s side cheered on their younger club members from the sidelines.

Footy great Dermott Brereton was a big part of the Mornington Peninsula side, but football commentary commitments prevented him from playing in the grand final, although he turned up early to lend his support to the boys.

Hammerheads (from left) Jason "Jugga'' Nagel, Al Davie, Ian "Woofy'' Rowland and Henry Dolphin.

In the rooms after the game, Veteran’s Cricket Victoria Gippsland representative Andrew O’Hoy presented the shield and flag to Martin and the Hammerheads.

The biggest cheer was reserved for Mornington Peninsula Veterans Cricket Club president Ian “Woofy” Rowland, who was a driving force behind the formation of the Hammerheads.

Mornington Peninsula hopes to field two Over 50s sides next season.

Mornington Peninsula Over 50s inaugural team members: Craig Burch, Dermott Brereton, Al Davie, Henry Dolphin, Neil Franks, Brendon Gardner, John Harrison, David Hunter, Steven Jackson, Jamie Jewiss, Peter Klauer, Peter Lane, Chris Lanting, David Martin (captain), Simon McEvoy, Jason Nagel, Brian Parton, Bruce Sutton, Paddy Swayn. Team manager: Ian Rowland.