Somerville Cricket Club capitalised on its convincing Round 1 victory against Long Island with another powerful performance against Mt Eliza in the MPCA Round 2 fixture.
Dominant Batting Display
Skipper Chris Brittain won the toss and elected to bat against last season’s semi-finalists.
Somerville’s opening combination of Nick Mann and Kiefer Peries, who put on a 108-run partnership in Round 1, again made their intentions clear. Facing a strong Mt Eliza attack, the pair displayed excellent running between the wickets and superb shot selection to form a partnership of 90.
Peries was dismissed for 42, but run machine Nick Mann once again achieved the rare feat of carrying his bat throughout the innings, finishing on 87 not out.
Jack Barbour joined Mann at the crease and produced a well-compiled and punishing innings of 39 before being brilliantly caught on the boundary. Somerville closed at 3/189 from 40 overs.
Mt Eliza Struggles To Respond
In reply, Mt Eliza had five batsmen reach double figures, but aside from opening batsman Ravindu Kodithuwakku — who compiled a classy 32 before being brilliantly stumped by 17-year-old wicketkeeper Taj Duggan — no other batter was able to challenge the Somerville attack.
Chris Brittain showcased his experience and class, claiming 3/15 from eight overs, while Luke Rowe (3/27), Jacob Evans (2/10), Caleb Debnam (1/32) and Craig Black (1/36) all contributed to dismiss Mt Eliza for 132.
Cup Presentation Honours Club Legends
L-R Somerville CC legend Phil Graf, 10 time MPCA premiership legend Brian McCue and Australian Test and One Day star Shaun Graf 
RPP radio commentator and MPCA legend Neil Williams discusses tactics with 60 year Somerville CC icon Billy McMahon 
Somerville Captain Chris Brittain acknowledging the Phil Graf-Doug Neal Cup 
My Eliza CC coach Mark Uccello dissecting the game with Somerville Life Member and swing king Craig Black
In front of a large crowd, both teams and supporters gathered after the match for the presentation of the Phil Graf/Doug Neal Cup, recognising the outstanding contribution of both men in building the foundations of the rivalry between the clubs.
The Cup was presented by MPCA legend Brian McCue, who played in an astonishing ten MPCA premierships.
Among the spectators was 1975–76 Somerville premiership player Shaun Graf, who went on to represent Australia at Test and One Day level and played in Sheffield Shield-winning teams for both Victoria and Western Australia.
Looking Ahead
Round 3: Somerville v Old Peninsula (home) — promises to be a cracking contest.
Other Grades
2nd XI
Somerville 8/205: Captain Brad Staff 82, Jack Kennedy 35, Tom Ridout 19
Mt Eliza 8/138: Noah Alderson, Jack Kennedy, Matt Eager, Brad Staff, Harrison Triffett — 1 wicket each
3rd XI
Somerville 180: Ryan Johnson 30, Dave Bertuola 42, “Calypso” Dave Simmonds 25, Tom Kingston 17, Captain Russell Wilkes 16*
Tyabb 7/224: Ryan Johnson 3/26, Angus Shepherd 2/40, James Roberts and Dylan McGregor 1 each
4th XI
Somerville 6/217: Andrew Patterson 91, Ben Page 29, Matt Roberts 20*, Jarrod Hodgins 18, Garrath Cann 18, Josh Collie 15*
Red Hill 5/180: Matt Roberts 2/31, Andrew Patterson 1/35, Ben Page 1/36, Josh Collie 1/24
5th XI
Somerville 9/249: Brad Nicol 46, Doug Haskett 91, Ash Mahoney 33, Jason Huf 30
Boneo 7/253: Adam Phillips 2/49, Tom Minton 2/21, Jason Huf 2/76, Anton Bergman 1/44
Women’s Team
Somerville 5/51: Marlee Black 18*, Annie-May Spence 11
Tyabb 9/50: Katelyn Van Loo 2/2; Tilly Black, Kaitlyn White, Tahlia Love, Skye Jeremiah and Tayla Carlile 1 wicket each
