SECA Week by Week 2025/26

SECA 2025/2026 LONGMUIR SHIELD PREVIEW

The ever-evolving South East Cricket Association gets underway this weekend with another re-jigged fixture featuring 12 rounds comprising 6 one-day games and 6 two-day affairs in the Shield grades along with an additional One-Day grade.

Reigning premier Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club will be looking to repeat their success and haven’t let the grass grow under their feet in striving to do so. They have maintained last years playing list and added some nice pieces including Phil Galanopoulos who joins his brother and Lions skipper Lukas at The Den from Prahran and he should slot straight in to their middle order. Young English fast bowler Seaver Cowley is another handy addition after a successful season for Thompson in the Geelong Cricket Association and he will be expected to make a significant impact with the bat as well. To top it off, the Lions have former juniors Connor Montgomery (Richmond), Lachie Still (Queensland) and Dylan Stephens (West Bentleigh) all returning to the club. Dynamic tandem Malin Silva and Buddhika De Alwis will be major players as will batting dynamo’s Craig Short, Campbell James and Josh Bregazzi. Skipper Galanopoulos is a calm leader and fine tactician and he will have plenty of bowling options with Noah Montgomery and Jacob Gray settling in nicely last season. Uniting will definitely be in the mix.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS 1 11/10/2025

Reigning premiers Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club also showed they will be tough to topple this season with a workmanlike win over Bentleigh ANA Cricket Club. Tim Scott (34) looked in sparkling touch early but many of ANA’s bats gave up their wickets too easily and six batsmen with scores in their teens displayed some squandered starts as Buddhika De Alwis (3/23) kept them under control and restricted ANA to 161. ANA did grab two early wickets through Randula Perera (2/21) but a 112 run stand between Campbell James (42) and new addition Seaver Cowley (63) ensured the run chase would be a comfortable one as The Lions cruised home at 5/165.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS 2 18/10/2025

KINGSTON ARE KINGS IN UPSET

Kingston Heath Cricket Club set the cat amongst the pigeons and opened up the Longmuir Shield competition when they soundly defeated reigning premiers and one of this seasons fancies in Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club.

The Kookaburras have traditionally given Uniting trouble and former skipper Andrew Birt had a tremendous day starting off by causing the Uniting top order all sorts of issues snapping up two early wickets whilst current leader Tom Grech grabbed another to leave the Lions in tatters at 3/14. They never really recovered losing wickets periodically as the Heath bowlers shared the love and all made valuable contributions as only Seaver Cowley (28) and Noah Montgomery (25*) had much luck against a disciplined bowling attack. Birt finished with 3/20 off his 8 overs and Paul Sanders and Tom Richards also snagged a brace each but the entire attack did their job to dismiss Uniting for just 121. The Lions needed early wickets if they were to defend their modest total but those early wickets were not forthcoming as The Heath played positively and cruised home at 5/125 in 24 overs with Birt topping his day off nicely with an unbeaten 45.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 3 25/10/2025

The Longmuir Shield season has already proved to be highly unpredictable after just three rounds in the South East Cricket Association.

Bentleigh Uniting returned to the winners list with a solid performance against Washington Park at Shark Park. Campbell James (53) and Max Millwood (19) provided a steady start of 53 but from there some excellent bowling from the Sharks forced the innings to stagnate and the Sharks were probably on top when they had The Lions 5/113 but a late flurry from Malin Silva (24*) nudged the total up to a competitive 7/173. Young paceman Luke Foley (3/36) was impressive for his team. Swiv Heywood (31) began brightly and the home team kept themselves in it for a long while but when Nick Khor (32) fell to make the score 5/93 it signalled the end and the innings subsided quickly as they crashed out for 105 with Silva (3/14), Buddhika De Alwis (4/10) and surprise packet Max Millwood (3/8) spinning a web of mystery to net the rest of the Sharks line-up.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 4 1/11/2025

LIONS DO IT THEIR WAY

The Longmuir Shield season tightened up further after Saturday’s matches in the South East Cricket Association with all teams now having a win under their belts.

Bentleigh Uniting joined West Bentleigh at the top of the table after taking The Bulldogs down on their home ground in a good competitive contest. West took first turn at the crease and after losing important wickets early were able to stabilise the innings through Cal Cathcart (51) and the ever-reliable Afan Sherriff (81*). Jack MacLeod (38*) assisted Sherriff in adding a run-a-ball stand of 76 which enabled the home team to post 5/208 which seemed about a par score in the conditions and when they had Uniting in trouble at 3/64 it looked like a winning one but opener Campbell James was playing nicely and got together with Lukas Galanopoulos (32) combining for a vital 89 run stand which effectively decided the contest. James played superbly throughout and guided the rest of the innings eventually bringing up a richly deserved century before delivering the final hammer blow spanking a hook shot for 4 to bring up the winning runs with James remaining unbeaten on 104 compiled off 100 deliveries with 10 boundaries and a six as The Lions finished 6/210 with a couple of overs to spare. Utpal Patel chipped away to finish with 3/44 for West.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 5 15/11/2025

Le Page Park (5/171) had an important win over Bentleigh Uniting (9/170) at newspaper corner. It was an important win in a number of ways as the club celebrated the storied career of Steve McConchie who was playing his 300th game for the club and it also kept The Panthers in the upper echelon on the ladder. Campbell James (47) continued his good form for The Lions but only Josh Bregazzi (29) and Malin Silva (38) offered much else in the face of a super bowling and fielding performance by The Frenchies. Kasun Weerasinghe (2/24), Oshan De Silva (3/21) and Jacob Apted (2/34) kept the Uniting batsmen under pressure throughout their innings and then McConchie (29) and Ky Rabadi opened the chase with a stand of 75 to set up the win. None of the other Le Page bats really got into stride but it didn’t matter as Rabadi (85*) was there at the end to ensure McConchie got the win for his milestone. A fitting reward for a player who has just about done it all for his club. Bregazzi and Connor Montgomery grabbed a brace of wickets each for Uniting.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 6 22/11/2025

East Sandringham, fresh off a couple of solid wins after a horror start to the season were well positioned to test their mettle against Bentleigh Uniting but after Matt Harris (20) made a brisk start things did not go to plan and it was only a stubborn 76 from Jack Munnings that enabled them to post 153 after they had reached 1/52. Malin Silva (5/47) was the architect of Easts destruction and The Lions got through a few nervous overs to finish 0/10 at stumps.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 6 DAY 2 29/11/2025

Bentleigh Uniting, having done a nice job to restrict East Sandringham to 153 last week resumed at 0/10 and found themselves under pressure from the outset due to some extremely accurate bowling from the Zebras. Still, The Lions played solidly after an early loss until they lost Campbell James (28) and Craig Short (15) in the space of a few balls to be 3/50 and with Nathan Walker (2/34 off 20) and Jordan Hesline (1/37 off 16) hardly bowling a loose ball the door was ajar for East. That same door may have been flung wide open if they had held onto a chance offered by Josh Bregazzi when he was on 4 but the chance was missed and Bregazzi dominated the rest of the chase hammering 68 and had steady support from Lukas Galanopoulos (29*) at the other end and Uniting efficiently ran down the target at 5/158.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 7 DAY 1 6/12/2025

Brighton Union could only muster 129 against Bentleigh Uniting, failing to get any flow into their scoring. Liam McCashin (31) impressed again and Darian Kuzma managed 27 but it was hard going for The Hoops bats against Buddhika De Alwis (4/21), Malin Silva (2/30) and Connor Montgomery (2/37). Uniting closed at 1/11.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 7 DAY 2 13/12/2025

Bentleigh Uniting (3/131) had little trouble running down Brighton Union’s 129. The Lions did lose a couple of wickets early but Campbell James (32*) kept one end locked down and Josh Bregazzi (68*) put the game to bed in quick and comprehensive style to shoot his team back to the top of the table whilst the Hoops cannot afford another miss-step if they hope to figure in March action.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 9 10/1/2026

WIDE OPEN SPACES

The contest for a top four position became even more confusing after a pivotal Round 9 series of matches were completed in the South East Cricket Association Longmuir Shield competition on a warm and windy Saturday.

East Sandringham Cricket Club continued their return to form but must keep winning if they are to secure a finals berth. On Saturday they got over ladder leader Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club who, despite still heading the table will need to pocket at least one win from their final 3 matches to confirm their March participation. East’s win was set up by opener Matthew Blunden who made a magnificent 113 off 108 balls to set up their total of 242 in batting friendly conditions at Shane Warne Oval. Blunden’s knock included 7 boundaries along with 6 maximums but importantly it was a superbly paced innings which included partnerships of 62 with Henry Munnings (26) and 70 with Mitch Kirkwood-Scott (43) with Blunden keeping the score moving throughout. A mini collapse slowed East’s scoring before Blunden exploded in the late overs to help post the big total. Spinner Buddhika De Alwis (1/15 off 8 overs) bowled a superb spell for Uniting and Josh Bregazzi (2/42) was solid but the Lions pace bowlers took a hammering. Uniting’s chase began very well and an 86 run union between Campbell James and Craig Short (36) had them well placed at 1/110 although slightly behind the required run rate but East took over the contest from this point with off-spin tandem Zac Fulecky (3/45) and Jack Munnings (3/36) derailing the chase. James carried on to make a gallant 77 but not a lot of support came from the other end as wickets fell quickly as the required rate climbed and Uniting came up well short being bowled out for 196.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 10 DAY ONE 17/1/2026

Top two Bentleigh Uniting and Bentleigh ANA faced off and Uniting produced a solid day with the bat posting 8/283. Opener Max Millwood was the star of the show compiling his maiden Longmuir Shield century in a delightful display as he managed 107 with 11 boundaries and a six. Millwood and Craig Short (54) set the score up with a 2nd wicket stand of 114 and whilst The Lions lost a flurry of wickets through the middle Phil Galanopoulos chimed in with a tidy 36 and then Noah Montgomery (30*) and Jacob Gray (20*) added a useful unbroken 49 run partnership to lift their team from 8/234 to their final score. ANA leader Madi Fernando (3/67) grabbed the best figures after Sanka Dinesh (2/84) and A.K.Tyrone (2/69) had done the hard yards throughout most of the day and the ANA bats will need to respond if they are to hold onto 2nd spot.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 11 DAY ONE 30/1/2026

Big runs was the order of the day with a swag of outstanding individual performances in Longmuir Shield matches as South East Cricket Association round 11 got underway. Interestingly, three teams were sent into bat in what seemed like perfect batting conditions.

Bentleigh Uniting were also inserted by West Bentleigh in another key contest. The Lions were steady early against the West pace attack missing the services of skipper Jayce Morgan and although they lost Campbell James (45) to a run out they were looking good at the tea interval at 2/120. Things turned a bit pear-shaped for the batting team when they lost the three key wickets of Josh Bregazzi, Lukas Galanopoulos and top-scorer Craig Short (58) immediately after play resumed to crash to 5/126 and that slowed their momentum. Buddhika De Alwis (42), Phil Glanopoulos (19) and Malin Silva (23) all chipped in with some handy runs but West’s bowlers stayed in the contest all day with Afan Sherriff (3/43) particularly good as he challenged all of the batsmen and West would have been reasonably satisfied to restrict Uniting to 232. It will still be a challenge for West and day two will have a finals type atmosphere.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 12 DAY TWO 14/2/2026

THE HIGHWAY IS JAMMED WITH BROKEN HEROES

The final round of Longmuir Shield has thrown up a number of potential outcomes as we head into the last day of the home and away season in the South East Cricket association.

Four teams are vying for two places effectively and everything hinges on this Saturday’s ultimate results.

Bentleigh Uniting were sent in by Washington Park at Centenary Park and they happily accepted the invitation as they ran up 8/307 against The Sharks. A strong opening stand of 91 from Campbell James and Max Millwood (45) set The Lions up and although they got a little bit wobbly through the middle overs James was a rock before departing for a fine 90 at 6/168. However, as they have done a number of times this season, the Uniting lower order all chimed in with Buddhika De Alwis (43), Noah Montgomery (42*) and Malin Silva (40* off just 19 balls) all firing to push the score up to a formidable one. Kasun Niranjana (3/91) toiled hard for The Sharks but their fate now lies in the hands of their batting card who must run the big target down if they are to push above East or ANA.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 12 DAY TWO 21/2/2026

GENTLEMEN - START YOUR ENGINES

The home and away season came to a conclusion in the South East Cricket association on Saturday with finals positions settled amid a flurry of activity.

Bentleigh Uniting clinched top spot in Longmuir Shield with a comprehensive win over Washington Park at Centenary Park. Chasing Uniting’s 8/307 The Sharks made a bright start with Swiv Heywood (35) and Lakshana Madushanka (49) looking threatening but they were losing wickets periodically. Still at 4/146 they were still a chance with a win likely to put them into the top four but Madushanka’s dismissal signalled the end of the road and The Lions were all over them from that point with The Sharks ultimately losing their last 4 wickets for just 9 runs to be dismissed for 185. Uniting’s bowlers shared the spoils and booked themselves a home final against Le Page Park this weekend whilst The Sharks season ended after what was a bright start on their return to the top flight.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND SEMI FINALS 29/2/2026

Bentleigh Uniting progressed to the Grand Final after their contest with Le Page Park was also curtailed by rain. The Lions batted well through Saturday compiling a very challenging 8/323 with Max Millwood (75) and Lukas Galanopoulos (55) setting them up for a late flurry which was duly completed by Seaver Cowley who played patiently initially before exploding in the late overs to finish unbeaten on 97 off 92 balls. Young fast bowler Lachie O’Meara (4/67) fared the best of the Le Page bowlers. Again it looked like very much an uphill battle for The Panthers but evergreen veteran Steve McConchie rattled off a fine 79 to keep them in the contest. Lachie Carroll chimed in with 51 as The Frenchies stayed in touching distance and they were 5/222 with 12 overs remaining requiring a touch over 8 per over in what might have been a thrilling finish when the day ended prematurely.

Mark Rainey Medal | A big congratulations to Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club Malin Silva who has won the Longmuir Shield Player of the Year Award. Malin claimed 26 wickets and scored 157 runs.

🎤 Reminder to tune into 88.3 Southern FM From Midday Saturday / 11am Sunday (until the end of play on both days) for live broadcast of the Longmuir Grand Final, as well as scores from around the grounds throughout the day, with the SECA Panel in full swing !

🏆Grand Final Matches🏆

Longmuir Shield - Bentleigh Uniting V East Sandringham @ Centenary Park