Sport
3 April, 2025
Premiers
THE Noorat Terang Lions have brought home the division one Championship premiership flag.
The Lions were victorious in their grand final against Allansford Panmure at the Uebergang Oval last weekend.
The team’s batting and bowling depth was a major difference between the two sides, as the Lions set the Gators 288 for victory and bowled them out in 53 overs for 150.
Winning the toss, the Lions had no hesitation in batting.
The early loss of Isaac Toombs for 17 and Don Moloney for a duck didn’t daunt the side, sitting at 2/22.
Bailey Kavenagh, who has been in good form the last month, and Tyson Hay took the score to 60 when Hay was dismissed for 20 in the 28th over.
Co-captain Stephen O’Connor joined Kavenagh and the pair added 58 for the fourth wicket when Kavenagh was dismissed for 49 off 132 balls with four boundaries (having weathered all six bowlers).
When Liam Geary joined O’Connor, both captains were at the crease and they did an amazing job of swinging the game towards the Lions.
They produced a club record 128 for the fifth wicket, which ended when Geary chopped on for 71 from just 61 balls with eight boundaries and one six (a cover drive).
O’Connor was joined by Gus Bourke and he was within sight of a hundred when he was run out for 93 from 144 balls with six boundaries.
A feature of his innings was his running between the wickets and the ability to rotate the strike.
Bourke and Ned Roberts tried to increase the run rate and push for 300, however Bourke was bowled for 13 and Roberts LBW for 15.
The side stumbled at the end to be bowled out for 288 in the 79th over.
On Sunday, Tyson Hay got the early break through with the Gators 1/7.
The home side rallied and it wasn’t until a classic one-hander by Sam Munro off Bourke’s bowling saw the Gators at 2/53.
Bourke struck again 15 runs later, with wicket keeper Luke Kenna taking his first of three catches for the match.
A further 22 runs were added before Geary took his first, with Luke taking the catch.
At tea the Gators were 4/100 off 39 overs.
On resumption Tim Keane took two wickets, the first being bowled and the second an LBW.
Isaac Toombs replaced Bourke who had bowled 21 overs on the trot and he got an LBW in his fourth over with the Gators then at 7/135.
Sam Munro returned with the ball, bowling into a very strong wind and Hay took a skied catch in his second over before he bowled the top scorer and former Terang junior, Shaun Griffin.
Isaac Kenna came on for his first over and took just six balls to secure the pennant for the Lions, with his uncle (Luke Kenna) taking the catch.
To their credit, the Lions didn’t concede a single extra in the innings.
Seven bowlers were used, with all taking a wicket.
Veteran Tim Keane produced the best figures with seven overs, one maiden and 2/16 while Sam Munro finished with 2/36 from 11 and Gus Bourke 2/65 from 21.
Other wickets also fell for Tyson Hay 1/13, Liam Geary 1/8, Isaac Toombs 1/16 and Isaac Kenna 1/1.
Man of the Match was awarded to Stephen O’Connor for his 93; his second highest score.
For a number of players this was their first senior flag.
Tim Keane added to his three with Terang, while Luke Kenna was a member of the Terang drought breakers team.
Isaac Kenna had the added bonus of playing with two of his uncles.
The players appreciated the support of family, friends, club mates and supporters who travelled to Allansford in their quest of a premiership.
