In a season-defining MPCA double-header, with Round 9 and 10 fixtures played across the weekend, Somerville Cricket Club continued its strong run of form, defeating top team Balnarring on Saturday and Seaford on Sunday to finish clear on top of the premiership ladder.
Round 9 v Balnarring
Against Balnarring, Somerville compiled a solid 6/194, with opening pair Kiefer Peries and Luke Rowe providing a strong start with scores of 48 and 26 respectively. Ex-Frankston Peninsula opening bat and Somerville junior Nick Mann demonstrated his class once again with an enterprising 79*.
In reply, Balnarring started hesitantly to be 2/18 until the Warmbrunn brothers, Xavier and Darcy, steadied the ship with an 84-run partnership. After the stand was broken by left-arm spinner Jake Evans, wickets fell in regular succession, with Balnarring falling short of Somerville’s total to finish on 9/166.
In an excellent team effort, opening bowlers Jack Kennedy (2/27) and Ryan McNamara (1/23) bowled with fire and precision, while Evans completed an outstanding spell to record figures of 4/40.
Round 10 v Seaford
The following day, Somerville headed to Seaford looking to secure back-to-back victories and clear top position on the ladder. Winning the toss and batting, Somerville produced its most consistent batting display of the season to compile 7/236. Opening pair Kiefer Peries (54) and Luke Rowe (28) put on a 64-run opening partnership, followed by Jack Barbour with a dominant 70. Skipper Chris Brittain added 43 off 30 balls, and Jake Evans’ quick-fire 21* rounded out the innings.
In reply, Seaford were immediately in trouble at 1/0. However, top-order bats Matt Herbert (73) and Mitchell Anderson (48) put on an outstanding partnership of 92 before the Somerville attack rallied. Jack Kennedy capped off an excellent weekend with 3/32, while Caleb Debnam (2/25), Jake Evans (2/37) and Ryan McNamara (1/15) combined to extinguish the Seaford challenge as Seaford were dismissed for 166.
Results
2nds
- Somerville 7/165 defeated Balnarring 9/162
- Tom Ridout 56, Noah Alderson 3/35
- Somerville 193 defeated Seaford 166
- Bailey White 44, Ryan Johnson 6/21
3rds
- Somerville 232 lost to Baden Powell 7/235
- Dave Bertuola 71, Russell Wilkes 3/33
4ths
- Somerville 9/150 lost to Sorrento 1/154
- Andrew Patterson 48, Noah Patterson 1/27
5ths
- Somerville 9/199 defeated Crib Point 10/38
- Eight bats made double figures; Tom Minton 4/5
VMCU (Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union) Carnival
Every club in the MPCA is invited to nominate emerging young cricketers to participate in the carnival against other competitions throughout metropolitan Melbourne.
Somerville showed that its future is strong, judging by the contributions made by its junior cricketers throughout the carnival. Congratulations to Tilly Black, Lara and Grace Brittain, Georgia Coburn, Skye Stroker, Chase Johnson and Billy Hendy on being selected to represent Somerville CC and the MPCA.
A notable highlight was Lara Brittain (89) and Tilly Black (83*), and their partnership of 154 on Day 3.
