In a thrilling showdown in the Longmuir Shield, Bentleigh Uniting brought home the bacon against Kingston Heath, with key contributions from Joshua Bregazzi and Craig Short in the batting line-up. Bentleigh’s bowlers also showed their mettle, with Malin Silva claiming three victims while George McCormick and Harry Zaia both accounted for two.
In a sweltering afternoon at Centenary Park, Saturday 4th November saw Bentleigh Uniting clash head-on with Kingston Heath under the watchful eyes of the Longmuir Shield merrymakers. Bentleigh threw down the gauntlet with a robust score of 244 runs in their opening innings.
Leading the charge at the crease were Joshua Bregazzi and Craig Short, who each plundered a blistering half-century pushing the score northwards. Callum Cathcart and Campbell James, Bentleigh’s top order, also chipped in with valuable contributions of 29 and 30 respectively, setting the stage for a hefty total.
The second part of the Bentleigh show, showcasing raw, fast-paced cricket, unfurled as Craig Short and Harry Zaia held strong till the end, remaining unbeaten and left Kingston bowlers grappling in the dust. Mark Fountain and Tom Grech from Kingston Heath side resisted valiantly, each bagging two scalps, but their efforts paled against Bentleigh’s onslaught.
Kingston Heath, up against a towering score, crashed out at just 180 runs despite an optimistic start. Top-order batter Steven Burke mounted a lone battle, crafting a well-earned half-century. Even the skipper, Matthew Cefala, managed to add 34 runs to the total before falling prey to the lethal bowling of Malin Silva.
The undoing of Kingston Heath was masterminded by Bentleigh’s bowlers George McCormick, Malin Silva, and Harry Zaia who blazed through the batting line-up, taking two, three, and two wickets respectively. Their impactful bowling left Kingston Heath teetering, sealing a tremendous victory.
This victory wasn’t just about the runs on the board; it was a testament to the unwavering grit, formidable bowling, and masterful batting exhibited by Bentleigh Uniting. Despite critical contributions by Steven Burke and Matthew Cefala from Kingston Heath, the day belonged to Bentleigh Uniting who proved yet again why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Longmuir Shield.
The day ended as it had begun, with Bentleigh assertive, diligent, and composed, savouring a well-deserved victory. Round four of the Longmuir Shield witnessed Bentleigh Uniting rise as the unsurpassable unit and laid down a marker for the battles to follow. Let the games continue!
Quiney Shield
“Contrasting performances from Bentleigh Uniting 2 and Kingston Heath 2 in Quiney Shield Round 4; Kingston Heath 2 victorious!”
Bentleigh Unitings showed glimpses of promise despite falling short in the face-off against Kingston Heath 2. The day belonged to Cameron Birt of Kingston, whose stellar batting and decisive bowling tipped the scales in their favour.
Setting the scene at Southern Road Reserve, Bentleigh came to bat first with determination etched onto their faces. The openers, Ethan Manakis and James Still, had the daunting task of setting up an innings built to weather the ensuing storm. However, their plan was abruptly cut short when Cameron Birt put Still back on the benches ending the 69-run partnership.
Manakis, on the other hand, managed to amass a modest 29 runs before he was caught out.
Rory Drummond, the captain, came in at bat order 3, scoring a crucial 43. Falling right after him, Paul Dessent contributed a valuable 40 runs. Even with no fifties or hundreds to their name, Bentleigh managed to set a target of 147 at the loss of just 5 wickets.
Yet, when tipped against Kingston’s performance, Bentleigh’s passable display seemed lacking. The Kingston Heath 2 batting lineup was led by Cameron Birt who churned out a half-century, which proved to be the turning point of the match. Dylan Davis and captain Tim Lawson also made notable contributions. While Davis was booted out with 31 runs, thanks to a brilliant catch by Rohan Wilson, Lawson contributed 21 before being declared LBW on David Bregazzi’s delivery.
Nevertheless, the star of the show remained Cameron Birt who single-handedly shouldered the responsibility of his team, clocking a stunning total of 56 runs. Teaming up with Mitchell Hand at the tail end of the innings, Birt brought victory home for Kingston Heath 2, reaching the target of 148 with an incredible four wickets to spare.
The bowling department of Bentleigh certainly had its moments too, with Ethan Manakis, David Bregazzi, and Ryan Waites scalping 1, 1, and 2 wickets respectively. However, it was Birt’s impressive 3 for 31 along with Liam Brotz and Patrick Wheeler’s crucial wickets, that which proved detrimental to Bentleigh’s plans to secure a victory.
Despite their loss, Bentleigh Uniting 2showcased considerable resilience, demonstrating the capacity of bouncing back in the future fixtures. This hurly-burly of a match was a testament to the unpredictability of a cricketing contest but also served as a reminder that Kingston Heath 2 does not back down, in the face of any challenge. Couldn’t have asked for a more high-octane game of cricket!
Under Sixteen Boys
Bentleigh Uniting U16 1 and Hampton U16 2 battled in a fiercely contested match ending in a Bentleigh Uniting getting the first innings honors! Noteworthy contributors included Ned Cannington, Tom D’Zilva, and Noah Montgomery for Bentleigh Uniting, while Toby Clarkson and Caelan Menahem excelled for Hampton.
It was a clash of the titans on Friday, 03 November 2023, as Bentleigh Uniting U16 1 grappled with Hampton U16 2 at Centenary Park. The home team, Bentleigh, batted first and set up a competitive target of 185 runs, losing just four wickets.
Noah Montgomery notched up a halcyon fifty, his willow working as an extension of his arms. Ned Cannington played a pivotal role with a crucial 27 runs, playing the part of a battering ram for Bentleigh. Tom D’Zilva’s shotmaking made for a fine spectacle, while pocketing 41 runs with elegance, and it was his 116 run partnerships with Montgomery and rest of the batters that fortified Bentleigh’s position. Lewis Richardson and Dean Farrington were impressive with their respective scores of 30 and 1.
The Hampton U16 2 bowlers battled hard but couldn’t suppress the Bentleigh batsmen’s scoring. The most successful of the bunch were William Wang-Ward, Jack McNamara, and Campbell Holtham who bagged 2, 1, and 1 wicket respectively. However, it was Jackson Gillbee who ran the tightest line, his economical bowling restricting the score to an achievable target.
Hampton’s reply was robust. Skipper Toby Clarkson sported a captain’s knock of 35 that, along with Caelan Menahem’s spirited 33, gave a glimmer of hope for a possible run-chase. However, the middle order wobbled, and subsequently collapsed under the pressure of the stiff target.
Bowling Nobilities, Noah Montgomery and Matthew Logan turned game changers for Bentleigh. Each claimed three wickets, creating havoc in the Hampton camp. Their combined effort ensured that victory kept swinging like a pendulum between both sides, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Unfortunately, the game ended with Hampton unable to chase down the set target, falling short by a small margin of just 17 runs. However, it proved to be one of the most fiercely competitive matches of the U16 B Central, Round 3, showcasing not just the growing talent in this age group, but also the passionate spirit of the game.
Comments