Lions still in the hunt for VPL finals action thanks to Mash century.

Fitzroy-Doncaster have remained in the hunt for finals action in the Bartercard Victorian Premier League cricket competition knocking  over Frankston on the third-last ball of the day at Schramms Reserve in round fifteen. The Heat elected to bat on at the commencement of day two as Luke Walker and skipper Jayde Herrick both passed the century mark in an unbeaten 195-run partnership. Herrick finally declaring Frankston’s innings closed at 3-341 with Walker on 126 and Herrick an even 100 from 109 balls.

On a flat wicket with a short boundary to one side, the Lions would have been confident of reeling in the Heat’s total. They began well with openers Matthew Bremner and Peter Dickson putting on 57 before Bremner edged one to keeper Samuel Wiese off Jake Wood for 22. Timothy Sheehan (5) and Dickson (44) both fell  to Wood soon after as the Lions looked a little shaky at 3-78.

Lloyd Mash (above) and Liam Banthorpe combined for a 94-run partnership before Banthorpe holed out to Jackson Mockett again off Wood for 33 right on tea. When they lost keeper Jacques Augustin (3) shortly after play resumed, the home side were 5-201 and the Heat were on target to end the Lion’s finals aspirations.

However Mash, who was closing in on another VPL century, was joined by Darren Motschall (63) and the pair slammed on 107 runs to get the Lions to within 34 of victory. When Mash was bowled by Mockett for a fine 123, the score was 7-315 and the Lions were running low on overs as well as wickets.

Mockett picked up his fourth wicket when he had Kamasan Nayager (1) caught by Herrick and the Lions were 9-337 with the match going right down to the last over but Lion’s tailenders Chris Moore and Steven Duckworth saw  the home side through off the third last ball of Mockett’s twelfth over.

A thrilling win for Fitzroy-Doncaster to keep their finals hopes alive and a Lloyd Mash special to go with it, registering his ninth Premier League century from 163 balls including twelve fours and two sixes. For Frankston it has been hard going all year but they can be buoyed by their bowlers’ efforts on a lifeless and flat pitch with Wood and Mockett snaring four wickets each. The Lions continue their hunt for finals action when they take on the Greenvale Kangaroos away in round sixteen whilst Frankston will fancy their chances at home to the disappointing Monash Tigers.