VSDCA: Port Melbourne beats Moorabbin to notch first win of the season

Port Melbourne opened its Subbies account in style with a clinical win over Moorabbin, fuelled by two recruits and a bunch of tight-knit youngsters.

Port Melbourne opener Jake Rothnie on the attack. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The fixture did no favours for a young Port Melbourne side trying to find their feet in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association this season.

The Borough faced Caulfield, Brighton and Elsternwick in the first three rounds, and lost them all.

But Port Melbourne stayed focused and on Saturday were rewarded with their first win of the season, a comprehensive victory over Moorabbin at North Port Oval.

The Borough batted first and put up 7-215, fuelled by middle order batters Karanpreet Singh (54 off 60 balls) and Lewis O’Donnell (40no off 27).

Openers Karan Kalia (26) and Jake Rothnie (24) laid a platform with a 45-run stand, while Nicholas Benson chipped in with 20.

It was then up to Port Melbourne’s bowlers and fielders to complete the job, and they did it beautifully...they dismissed Moorabbin for 142.

Two run outs were celebrated, while Strathmore recruit Muhammad Arslan Khan was the star for Port Melbourne, taking 3-19 off 9 overs with his leg spin.

“He was turning it sideways,” Port Melbourne captain Ryan McDonald said.

“He was the one who took the game away from them I reckon.”

Port Melbourne’s Lewis O'Donnell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Port Melbourne’s Karanpreet Singh. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Overseas all-rounder O’Donnell capped an outstanding game with 2-30 off nine overs and McDonald took 1-19 off nine.

McDonald said it was a relief to finally sing the song.

“It’s been a tough start to the year, obviously you’re playing good sides and it’s hard to expect wins,” he said.

“To be honest we played half a game against Brighton and then we crumbled, so it was good to put three quarters to a full game together yesterday and take a positive step.

“Against Elsternwick we took a positive step even though we lost and this week we took another really positive step in the right direction.

“I think with a young side it’s good to see us trending in the right direction.”

McDonald said the Borough were looking forward to facing Noble Park next week.

“We’ve never played them,” he said.

“Because we don’t have those seasoned older guns we need lots of contributors even if it’s 20s, 30s…it’s good to see that starting to come together.

“Hopefully we can show that again next week against Noble Park.”

Oakleigh batter Ryan Pearson and Mt Waverley wicket keeper Ben Hocking. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Oakleigh batter Dylan Grandell. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In other games:

*Oakleigh captain Ryan Pearson peeled off 93 to set up victory over Mt Waverley. Pearson and James Pattinson (55) shared a 91-run second wicket partnership in the Oaks’ 6-211. Dylan Grandell made a run-a-ball 21 not out. In reply, Mt Waverley was dismissed for 177, with Oakleigh coach Matthew Grace grabbing 4-28. Pattinson took the first wicket to fall and finished with 1-24. Best for Mt Waverley was Akshay Ballal with 46.

*Noble Park’s Bhanuka Keppetipola captured 4-29 off nine overs to help restrict Ormond to 6-194, in which opener Zac Sleeman made 77. In reply, Noble Park (7-195) achieved victory in the 44th over, with Sahan Perera (54), Keppetipola (35) and Kolitha Weerasekera (31no) doing the job.

Mt Waverley bowler Angus Roach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

*Balwyn coasted to victory over Croydon, with Harrison Goad (4-23), Toby Booth (47no) and Jonathon Mummery (28no) the stand outs.

*Elsternwick easily accounted for Donvale, with Jacob Kerr taking 3-30 and Michael Edwards making 46 not out.

*An even spread of contributors set up Bayswater’s win over Malvern. With the bat, Jordan Ludgater (34), Brodie Richardson (30), Sachin Halangode (28), Jake Wigney (34) and Tomas Cheater (31no) impressed. Michael Topp, Richardson, Lachlan Payne and Luke Turner then took two wickets each.

*Brighton opener Jason Soames made 92 off 112 balls, with 10 fours, and Ricky Damiano hit 59 in its win over Endeavour Hills. Glen Parker capped another excellent game with 36 and 4-28.

*Caulfield routed Box Hill for 93 in 28.1 overs to set up a resounding victory. Lachlan Graf (3-17) and Jeremy Corby (3-15) were the main destroyers while Charlie Clancy clipped 46 not out as the Fielders got the runs two down and in the 26th over.