Sport
12 February, 2026
Bowlers prevail in low-scoring clash
THE start of the round 12 Warrnambool Moyne and District Cricket Association premier division match between neighbouring rivals Noorat Terang and Mortlake produced a bizarre day one of the two-day match, with 25 wickets falling for just 103 runs.
On a well grassed, hard based turf wicket, the bowlers from both sides excelled and were backed up byexcellent fielding, while the batsmen faltered in their first hit with red balls for nearly two months.
Mortlake was sent in to bat and never recovered from 3/7, as opening bowlers Gus Bourke with 5/21, and Tyson Hay with 3/17 ripped through the top order.
There was no let up when Liam Geary replaced Hay to take 2/2.
Mortlake was dismissed for 40 in the 25th over.
The Lions made good inroads into the total and were 2/32 before an extraordinary turn came over the game when Clinton Baker and Craig Britten did as the Lions bowlers did.
From 2/32, the Lions’ score became 5/32 as three batsmen fell to cut shots that were well caught.
The next scoring shot moved the total to 36 before another collapse saw the Lions at 9/36 and in danger of not getting a first innings lead.
Max Heffernan’s boundary put the Lions in front but he lost his wicket when the score was 49.
Opener Ryan Mottram was the only Lions player to reach double figures with 19 from 39 balls.
Mortlake had 17 overs to face before stumps and were reduced to 5/14, with Bourke’s 2/8 taking his match tally to seven wickets, with Hay taking 2/2 and Geary 1/0.
Next weekend the match continues, with Mortlake holding a lead of five runs with five wickets in hand.
The division two Lions were easily beaten at Noorat by second placed Russells Creek.
Batting first, Noorat Terang had a number of players get starts, however none could push on for a big score.
The Lions were dismissed in the 41st over for 124.
Dom Kenna, who top scored with 24, is set to play his 200th game next week.
Brett Hunger has been in rare form with the bat and unluckily chopped on when on 23.
Co-captains Liam Venn with 20 and Martin Wynd with 12 made contributions, while up and coming youngsters Lachlan Primmer with 13 and Jack Farrell with 12 showed promise.
Darcy Abbott’s eight not out showed glimpses to build on.
Sam Munro got the only wicket to fall as the visitors chased down the total in 26 overs.
Next week’s division two game is at Purnim against the Northern Raiders.
The division four Lions have kept their finals chances alive by defeating Spring Creek, playing beside the firsts at Terang’s hard wicket oval.
Batting first, run machine Dean Abbott brought up another 50 to set the side up before some quick wickets had them 5/94.
A club record sixth wicket partnership against Spring Creek of 60 by Toby Roberts with 27 and Andrew Battistello who made 39 not out off 42 balls with five boundaries (his highest score) saw the team reach 6/166.
The visitors reached 6/130 before the experience of Tom Conheady with 3/8 and man of the match Battistello with 4/21 were backed up by leg spinner Flynn Gleeson who took the last two wickets for six.
Wicket keeper Sam Lillico took three important catches.
Now sitting in fourth spot, half a game clear of this week’s opposition Nestles, a win would put a gap between them and maintains a gap with Spring Creek who play the second bottom side.
This game will be at the Warrnambool College ground.
WARRNAMBOOL MOYNE & DISTRICT - PREMIER DIVISION
NOORAT TEARNG v MORTLAKE
TWO DAY MATCH
Noorat Terang 10/49 (31.1) currently trailing Mortlake 10/40 & 5/15 (17)
The under 17s year ended with an outright loss to Allansford-Panmure.
Max Heffernan made 43 of the team’s 92 second innings runs off 45 balls.
Sam Lillico was the only other to reach double figures with 11.
Jack Farrell took the only wicket to fall.
While wins have been hard to come by, nearly every player has experienced senior cricket and a number will still be eligible to play under 17s in 2026/27.
The under 15s, having lost to top side Russells Creek, enjoyed Saturday’s Twenty20.
All players had a couple of overs to bowl, with six individual wicket takers.
With the bat, Liam Kenna top scored with 34 from 39 balls, and Ollie Clarke made 17.
A number of players in this side will still be eligible to play again next season.
The under 13s are half way through their match and this game is evenly poised with Nestles holding a 10 run advantage but have lost four wickets to the Lions two.
The Mortlake Noorat Terang combo batted first for 24 overs, scoring 2/115.
Leo Slater made 41 retired from just 42 balls with six boundaries.
Braxton Sachs made 34 from 33 balls with four boundaries.
Zac Clarke will be able to add to his 15 not out.
Nestles will resume batting at 4/125 after having lost both openers to run outs.
Alex Gubbins and Connor Jewell each took a wicket with Mortlake Noorat Terang to chase afterwards.