The annual Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association (MPCA) Country Week Carnival kicked off on Monday, 9 February at Adrian Butler Oval, Frankston.
Selectors Bobby Wilson and Dale Irving had the unenviable task of selecting a squad from the 35 teams which comprise the MPCA. In the end, 15 cricketers from across the competition justified their selection, based on excellent club and trial match form.
Squad Selection
The squad comprised the following players:
Duncan Brown (Mt Martha), Matt Calder (Langwarrin), **I Hayden Cummings (Mornington), Billy Humphrey (Pines), Corey Marshall (Mt Martha), Aiden McKenna (Long Island), Cameron Moon (Mornington), Ash Nagel (Rosebud), Pat Nickeas (Balnarring), Tom Panich (Mornington), Harley Peace Stirling (Pines), Matt Prosser (Langwarrin), Udara Ravindu (Tyabb), Kieran Voelkl (Dromana – Captain), and Charlie Wigg (Rye).
Day 1
MPCA 3/133 defeated Casey Cardinia 10/131
MPCA opening pair Matt Calder (67 off 43 balls) and Aiden McKenna (48* off 43 balls) demolished the Casey Cardinia attack to post a 94-run opening partnership.
In reply, Mornington quick Cameron Moon dismantled the CC top order to finish with 3/32 and was well supported by Corey Marshall, who collected 2/38. Billy Humphrey, Hayden Cummings, Matt Prosser and Tom Panich put the icing on the cake with one wicket apiece.
Day 2
Mornington Peninsula 3/117 defeated Bairnsdale 10/115
Bairnsdale elected to bat and were skittled for 115 against a relentless and miserly MPCA attack.
Cameron Moon (3/30) and Corey Marshall (2/21) had Bairnsdale in early trouble, before skipper Kieran Voelkl unleashed left-arm Balnarring spinner Pat Nickeas, who tied the opposition in knots to finish with 2/5 from seven overs.
Day 3
Mornington Peninsula 9/268 defeated Sale Maffra 10/202
Looking to continue their winning run, Mornington Peninsula encountered a penetrating Sale Maffra attack and slumped to 4/43, with top-order bats Calder, Voelkl, McKenna and Prosser dismissed cheaply.
Showing the team’s depth, the middle and lower order rallied with outstanding innings from Tom Panich (56), Hayden Cummings (53), Corey Marshall (53), and an enterprising 25* from Charlie Wigg off just 11 balls.
In reply, Sale Maffra lost wickets at regular intervals and edged to 9/160 before a last-wicket partnership of 42 added some respectability.
Opening bowler Charlie Wigg seized the moment with 3/28, while spin duo Pat Nickeas (2/26 off 10 overs) and Udara Ravindu (2/41) achieved key breakthroughs.
The win secured top position on the ladder and locked in a semi-final berth.
Day 4: Semi-Final
Mornington Peninsula 8/136 defeated Ballarat 10/130
Batting first, Ballarat capitulated against a relentless Mornington Peninsula attack.
Pines all-rounder Billy Humphrey had the Ballarat batsmen in all sorts of trouble, with his final figures of 4/17 a reward for a great spell of bowling. He was ably supported by Pat Nickeas (2/4), Hayden Cummings (2/34), and Cameron Moon (1/37).
Chasing a moderate total, Mornington Peninsula teetered on the edge of disaster at 6/44, with top-order bats McKenna, Calder, Ravindu, Panich, Voelkl and Cummings all back in the pavilion.
In line with MPCA tradition, the lower order rallied. Billy Humphrey stood up when it counted, rescuing the innings with 35*. He was well supported by Cameron Moon, who compiled a valuable 18*.
It was a tremendous win against the odds and secured a Grand Final berth against provincial powerhouse Geelong.
A Proud History
The MPCA has competed in Country Week Carnivals since its formation in 1966–67. There have been many successful campaigns, with legendary players setting the standards and traditions that the current squad continues to emulate.
Names including Wally Wedgewood, Jack Peacock, Robbie Bedford (14-time captain), Brian McCue (six Country Week titles), Phil Graf, Paul Bradley, Scott Phillips, Paul Hartle and Bobby Wilson have all contributed to the association’s proud legacy.
2026 Country Week Grand Final
Geelong 10/267 defeated Mornington Peninsula 10/236
Geelong won the toss and elected to bat at one of Australia’s most historic and immaculately manicured cricket grounds, The Albert Ground.
Geelong entered the contest following a dominant semi-final win over Sale Maffra (9/301 to 10/169), while Mornington Peninsula had edged past Ballarat (8/136 to 10/130).
Four-time Provincial Medallist and star Langwarrin all-rounder Matt Prosser suffered a hand injury in the semi-final and, much to the detriment of his team, was unable to take his place in the Grand Final.
Mornington opening bowler Cameron Moon made an immediate impact, dismissing Geelong’s opening bat with the first ball of the innings. His provincial teammate Hayden Cummings maintained the pressure, claiming three quick wickets to have the opposition floundering at 5/95.
Geelong gradually dug in and the momentum changed, with opening bat Shane McNamara dominating to record a magnificent 139. Along with Alastair McCann, they put together a match-winning partnership of 146 runs.
The MPCA bowling honours were shared by Hayden Cummings (3/66), Pat Nickeas (3/32) and Cameron Moon (2/27).
In reply, MPCA raised the hopes of their many supporters at numerous times, but the disciplined Geelong attack rallied during key moments to secure a hard-fought 31-run win.
Captain Kieran Voelkl led from the front with a classy 76, while Tom Panich (45) and Hayden Cummings (36) played important roles.
Victory for the close-knit MPCA team was tantalisingly close but in the end Geelong seized control during key moments and headed to the magnificent Albert Pavilion to celebrate.
The MPCA squad represented their clubs and the competition magnificently and despite not quite getting over the line, they should be proud of their efforts over the week.
