In one of the most riveting grand final contests ever seen in the MPCA, Old Peninsula triumphed over a gallant Somerville in the grand final played at Jones Road on the weekend, with just four runs separating the two teams, 10/94 to 10/90.
Before a packed crowd, Old Peninsula won the toss and elected to bat in perfect conditions.
Old Peninsula got off to a steady start and moved to 0/21 before star opening bowler Ryan McNamara created chaos with three quick wickets. With Jack Kennedy providing great support, Old Peninsula then plunged to 4/24.
Wade Pelzer and Hugh Peacock stabilised proceedings with a partnership of 41 until Pelzer was stumped by Jack Barbour off the bowling of left-arm spinner Jake Evans, making the score 5/65.
Wickets then fell in quick succession and perennial powerhouse Old Peninsula was back in the pavilion for a sub-par 94.
McNamara was electric and finished with dazzling figures of 7/29 off 17 overs. He was well supported by Kennedy, Evans and captain Chris Brittain, who secured one wicket apiece.
The following day, Somerville was in immediate trouble, with class opening batter Kiefer Peries dismissed by the second ball.
With relentless bowling and attacking fields, Old Peninsula applied the heat and, like the previous day, wickets fell at regular intervals.
Luke Rowe, Nick Mann, Jack Barbour, Brad McDonald and Jacob Evans all made double figures but could not press on.
Nine wickets down and still six runs in deficit, Craig Black drove a ball to mid-off.
The ball appeared to be taken after several attempts and the controlling umpire ruled it a clean catch, signalling game over.
Or was it?
Old Peninsula was jubilant, but questions were asked and, after much deliberation, the square-leg umpire ruled the ball had not been caught and the decision was rescinded.
Premiership glory edged closer. However, Ryan McNamara could not emulate his bowling heroics and was bowled, with Somerville falling a tantalising four runs short of victory.
It was a fluctuating and riveting game of cricket in which fortunes swung wildly, but in the end Old Peninsula got the chocolates.
For Old Peninsula, Jamin Barron-Toop was outstanding, finishing with 5/38, and was well supported by the miserly Justin Grant.
With figures of 5/42 in the semi-final and 7/29 in the grand final, Ryan McNamara completed one of the great MPCA finals performances and took home the best player medal.
2nd XI Grand Final
Somerville 120 defeated Long Island 79
On a slow ground at Ballam Park, Somerville secured its fourth flag in seven years with a comprehensive and deserved victory.
Batting first, Somerville scrapped its way to 120, with powerhouse opening batter Jack Heydon contributing an electric 49 off 54 balls. For Long Island, James Paxton mesmerised the Somerville batters to return elite figures of 6/12.
With a well-organised and varied attack, Somerville was confident it could defend its total.
In a complete team performance, Matt Eager bowled superbly to return the match-winning figures of 4/8, while wily skipper Brad Staff provided no release for the tormented Long Island batters, finishing with 2/22.
Caleb Debnam, Charlie Dixon and Sam Green, with one wicket each, put the icing on the cake.
In an interesting quirk, Long Island’s Sam Green was bowled by his Somerville namesake, Sam Green.
4th XI Grand Final
Raging favourites Somerville showed the fluctuations that regularly feature in the game of cricket.
After scoring 5/426 in the semi-final, Somerville crashed to be all out for 99 in the grand final against Mornington, which totalled 8/163.
With marquees, picnic baskets, family members and supporters crammed into Barber Reserve, Somerville lost wickets in quick succession.
Justin Allsopp showed his class with bat and ball to finish with 26 and 5/28, with support from Jarrod Hodgins (22) and Matt Roberts (2/51).
Mornington young gun Lucas Johnson shone with a superb 55 not out.
Provincial
Mornington 5/182 defeated Red Hill 181 to make it back-to-back flags
For Mornington, Country Week star Tom Panich was electric with 107 not out, while Zac Garnett made 32 not out, Cam Moon took 3/48 and Bryce McGain finished with 2/68.
For Red Hill, Luke Robertson (43) and Simon Dart (47) performed well.
In an interesting sideline, former Australian spin bowler Bryce McGain dismissed former Victorian batter Simon Dart.
District
Crib Point 202 defeated Carrum Downs 106
With Carrum Downs finishing two games clear on top of the ladder, it was clear favourite to defeat Crib Point.
However, after unsuccessful finals campaigns in the previous two years, the pressure was on to perform against a highly motivated and desperate Crib Point side.
Brady Wilton anchored the Crib Point innings with 77 not out off 214 balls.
In reply, Carrum Downs capitulated in the face of a relentless Crib Point attack, with Jai Gleeson, Jake Mialitsis, Brad Davidson and Blake Hogan-Keogh sharing the spoils.
It was a richly deserved win by Crib Point, which, under the leadership of 19-year president Ricky Thompson, has worked hard on and off the field to achieve ultimate success.
Sub-District
Tyabb 8/266 defeated Baxter 74
Tyabb completed an outstanding season by comprehensively outpointing an experienced Baxter line-up.
After turning over half its list from the previous season, questions were asked about whether the side could galvanise as a group. It did exactly that, earning promotion to the District division.
Batting first, Tyabb demonstrated its batting depth, with Sashin Dilranga (78), Luke Rus (48), Brock Regan (42 not out) and Jayden Regan (34) all playing their roles.
In reply, the Baxter batters capitulated against the desperate Tyabb attack.
James Holland-Burch capped a superb season with outstanding figures of 5/17, while Zac Foulds (3/11) and Ryan Regan (2/46) provided great support.
