Sport
2 October, 2025
Cross-town rivals to meet in season opener
CRICKET returns this weekend, with a highly anticipated round one Warrnambool Moyne and District Cricket Association division one premier clash between neighbours Mortlake and Noorat Terang.
The match, to be played at the Mortlake College Oval, marks Noorat Terang’s debut in the WMDCA’s top grade of cricket in their third year in the competition.
“Everyone’s really excited, it’s uncharted territory for us, there’s healthy nerves,” Lions senior coach Liam Geary said.
“We’ve got a good mix of young and old, our pre-season has been good, we’re just looking forward to seeing how we will go.”
Their opponents, Mortlake, are a seasoned group, entering their fourth campaign in Warrnambool cricket’s top grade.
“It’s come around quickly, but we’re well prepared,” Mortlake skipper Todd Lamont said.
“We’ve had 20 most nights at pre-season training and 30 odd since footy finished so the group is keen.”
Both clubs expect to field several new players in the match.
Noorat Terang will unveil young recruits Oscar Ritchie (from Mortlake) and Ryan Mottram (from Warrnambool CC), with English import Ben Woodward also in line to play.
“Ben is an aggressive opener from Lincolnshire, he’s just arrived this week and will be a great addition, he also has the ability to deliver some medium pace if required,” Geary said.
Mortlake will potentially debut Russells Creek recruit Craig Britten, and opening batter Adam Atwood, formerly of the Homers CC in Horsham.
Young gun Charlie Mahncke, who only played one game for Mortlake last season and is currently in the Victorian Country under 17 male emerging players squad, and Will Kain who returns from a stint in England, are also likely to play.
The match, being the first encounter at the highest grade between the clubs since Mortlake, Terang and Noorat all played each other in the South West division one competition in the 2021/22 season is not lost on the combatants.
“There will be something familiar about playing old rivals and excitement with that,” Geary said.
“Many of them play footy together at Terang Mortlake or work together so it will be interesting.”
For Lamont, the game already has some extra meaning.
“A couple of guys have crossed over from us to them so there will be a bit of feeling in the game.
“The local rivalry is strong and I’m sure it will be a good contest.”
With Noorat Terang the newcomers at this level, and Mortlake having challenged in the past few years, expectations are different from the two clubs.
“Being realistic, I think we’ll be pretty decent, we’ve got good experience and have topped up with a few good young players who we hope will hang around long term,” Geary said of the Lions.
“It will take a few weeks to settle in but I feel we’ll be really competitive at the top level.”
Lamont and his Mortlake team have high hopes.
“Obviously to make finals is the number one aim,” Lamont said.
“We just want to get off to a good start and get some early wins on the board.”