Langwarrin knock off ladder leaders, Pines cement top of the table, Carrum Downs grab ruthless win PROVINCIAL
By Brodie Cowburn
WOMENS
AN impressive win on Sunday kept Langwarrin clear at the top of the MPCA Women’s division ladder. Langwarrin took on Pines at Eric Bell Reserve. Pines batted first but struggled, only managing to score 36 runs from nine overs at the crease. Kylie Walters did most of the damage for the visitors. She posted career best bowling figures of 5/11 from four overs. Langwarrin chased down their target quickly, losing just one wicket along the way. The other match for the round saw Balnarring take on Tootgarook. Tootagrook’s batters had a hard time getting started. They were all sent back to the sheds for single digit scores, and the team was bowled out for 27. Tara Quinn was the standout bowler. She tore through the tail, posting figures of 4/2 off four overs. Balnarring reached their target with eight wickets left to spare. Rye had a bye.
LANGWARRIN scored a great win on Saturday when they defeated ladder leaders Baden Powell. After winning the toss, Baden Powell chose to bat first. They lost both openers early, but got back on track thanks to a big partnership between Coen Chernishoff and Rhys Elmi. They scored 52 and 87 not out respectively. Baden Powell finished their innings at 4/169. Langy lost a few early wickets before Chris Brittain took control of the match. The number four batter scored 70 not out. Brittain’s big knock proved the difference as Langwarrin wrapped up a three wicket win with an over left to play. Old Peninsula and Sorrento both cemented their spots in the top four with wins on the weekend. Sorrento chased down Baxter’s score of 113, while Old Peninsula defeated Mt Eliza by 53 runs. In the weekend’s final Provincial di-
vision match. Red Hill defeated Long Island by 14 runs.
PENINSULA
PINES’ good season has continued with a win over Seaford Tigers A big knock by Damien Lawrence got Pines off to a good start. His score of 76 helped Pines set the Tigers a tough target to chase down. Seaford needed 170 to win. A few batters made good starts but none could convert them to big scores, dooming them to defeat. The Tigers fell 38 runs short of victory. The victory cements Pines’ place on top of the ladder. They are a game clear of second place. Brenton Alp’s knock of 78 not out helped Somerville maintain their place inside the top four on Saturday. Somerville got the better of Mornington. The Bulldogs set their opponents 142 to win, which they reached with eight wickets to spare. Around the grounds, Heatherhill defeated Rosebud at Bruce Park and Moorooduc defeated Flinders at Moo-
rooduc Recreation Reserve.
DISTRICT
A GREAT score from Gordon Waterfall helped Carrum Downs get a win on the weekend. Playing Main Ridge at Ditterich Reserve, Carrum Downs were excellent at the crease. Chasing 142 to win, Carrum Downs were ruthless. They reached their target after only 18 overs, with nine wickets left to spare. Waterfall top scored with an impressive 87 not out. The win helped keep Carrum Downs inside the top four. Dromana and Delacombe Park are both equal on points on top of the table. They both scored wins on Saturday, with Dromana besting Hastings and Delacombe Park defeating Crib Point. Carrum rounded out the winner’s list by beating Frankston YCW by nine wickets.
SUB DISTRICT
SEAFORD secured another big win
this weekend, getting the better of Ballam ark. Top of the ladder Seaford chose to bat first. They were excellent, putting a massive score of 231 on the board. Ballam Park worked hard but couldn’t get close. They were bowled out for 165. An unbeaten century from opener Chris Holcombe helped Mt Martha get a good win on Saturday. Taking on Pearcedale away from home, Mt Martha were impressive. They set their opponents a target of 213 to win, then bowled well to defend it. Pearcedale were bowled out for 142. Mitchel Darville cleaned up the tail end, posting figures of 3/3. Elsewhere Tyabb easily defeated Rye, and Tootagrook smashed Balnarring by nine wickets. Boneo were bowled out for just 82 in their match against Skye, dooming them to defeat.
Balnarring Cup winner breaks drought HORSE RACING
By Ben Triandafillou IT was one of the underdogs that claimed this year’s $7,000 Balnarring Cup at the annual Australia Day meeting, but it certainly seemed popular based on the crowd’s jubilant reaction. Almost 4,000 spectators braved the heat to attend the Balnarring Cup meeting which saw Cranbourne-based trainer Mal Watts claim the feature race with her only horse in work, See It All ($13). Watts’ five-year drought without a winner came to an end as Mornington-based jockey Marie-Melodie Pomarede guided the six-yearold gelding to a short head victory. The fortune was certainly on Pomarede’s side as she picked up the ride on See It All that very morning after hearing that her initial ride on Rachael Frost’s Napoleon was unlikely to make the field. Napoleon did in fact make the field but tailed off to finish at the rear, while Pomarede, who urged her mount along under hands and heels for the final 100m, saluted in memorable fashion.
“It felt pretty good to win it with so many people there on the day,” Pomarede said. “I still can’t believe it.” Despite the winner paying double figures, Balnarring Picnic Racing Club president Terry Mulcahy said the crowd gave the pair a rousing reception on their way back to scales. “The clerk of the course took [Pomarede] right down in front of the mound so she did half of a lap of honour on the way back,” he said. “The smile on her face was unbelievable. It was fabulous to see such a popular result.” Seymour-based trainer Don Dwyer and leading picnic jockey Shaun Cooper also combined for a winning double on the day with All Too Creedy (race 1) and Peggy Rose (race 6). Jockey Grant Seccombe also rode a double on the card with Shootist (race 3) and Ellanova (race 5) both saluting.
Winners are grinners: Marie-Melodie Pomarede celebrates with the crowd after winning the Balnarring Cup aboard the Mall Watts-trained See It All. Picture: Supplied
Rosebud to host world class golfers again GOLF
By Martin Blake BIG golf is coming back to Rosebud Country Club this week as the Mornington Peninsula gets ready to celebrate some of the best players in Australia on one of the region’s favourite courses. TPS Victoria, hosted by Geoff Ogilvy, is returning after its stunning debut at Rosebud in 2021, with its innovative format mixing men and women, professionals and amateurs in the same field. Male pros include 2006 US Open and all-time great Ogilvy, accomplished stars like Matt Griffin and Brett Rumford and recent tournament winners Jack Thompson and Anthony Quayle. The women who could contend
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include two new LPGA Tour graduates Stephanie Kyriacou and Karis Davidson, along with rookie New South Wales pro Grace Kim. The tournament runs from Thursday to Sunday with a $200,000 prize pool. It will be played on a composite of the two Rosebud courses, with two holes from the North course dropped out of the rota, replaced by one from the South course and a new par-three. The changes are designed for ease of spectating. Crowds will witness the benefits of the OCM Golf masterplan for Rosebud that was delivered two years ago, and the brilliant work of superintendent Ian Todd, formerly of Victoria GC. Local heroes like 15-year-old Molly
1 February 2022
McLean and Greg Wilson, both reigning Rosebud club champions, are in the field and sure to attract strong followings. “We’re excited because it’s an opportunity to showcase our great facility,” said Danny McGrath, Rosebud Country Club’s Chief Executive. “That’s going to be highlighted not only by some of the high-profile players coming to compete but also by some of the RCC members who are in the event. “We expect a big following for those players and with some tweaks that we’ve made to parking arrangements, we’re hoping for even bigger crowds this year. The profile that we get from this event just can’t be underestimated.”