Sport
6 November, 2025
Big task awaits Lions
NOORAT TERANG’S first foray into two-day cricket in the Warrnambool Moyne District Cricket Association premier competition sees the Lions facing a tough task leading into day two.
Batting first on the turf at the Terang Cricket ground, Russells Creek, on the back of two punishing knocks, declared their innings closed at 8/269.
“Their opener Heshan De Silva was aggressive, then they had Probodha Senevirathne who batted with great control and patience,” Lions coach Liam Geary said.
De Silva scored 89 from 87 balls, with Senevirathne unbeaten on 74 from 88 balls.
The Lions bowlers toiled to get wickets and had the visitors 6/167, but two 50 run partnerships in quick time set up the declaration.
Gus Bourke’s 3/59 off 20 overs and Tim Delaney’s 2/53 from 20 stood out as the best bowling spells.
Ryan Mottram took 2/53 off his nine overs.
“Gus bowled incredibly well, he was just as good at the end of the day as he was at the start of the day.
“Tim with his left arm orthodox spinners sneaks up on the batsmen, he’s tall and a bit quicker than other bowlers of his type.
“He was unlucky not to get more reward for his bowling.”
The declaration gave Russells Creek eight overs at the Lions batsmen in which they captured two wickets for 16.
Opener Ben Woodward and number three Oscar Ritchie are back in the shed.
Geary came in and looked composed at the crease, with Ryan Mottram weathering the pace and spin at the other end.
Mottram will start day two on three not out from 22 balls, while Geary resumes on 10 not out from 17 balls.
“Ryan was really composed despite all the pressure and plenty of chat from Russells Creek,” Geary said.
“He handled it well and showed a lot of maturity.”
Weather conditions will make wicket preparations tough this week which could work against the batsmen.
The Lions have 80 overs in which to chase down the total.
In division two, Noorat Terang was at home at Noorat to the Northern Raiders and it was the two Jack’s that performed to bring home victory.
There was Jack McConnell, a veteran of 228 games, and Jack Farrell, playing only his fourth game, who both had standout days.
Farrell took 4/19 and a catch while McConnell took 2/24 and a catch.
Aided by Andrew Battistello’s 2/24, Lachlan Primmer in his debut 1/24 and Brett Hunger with 1/12, the Lions bowled out the visitors for 142.
WARRNAMBOOL MOYNE & DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
DIVISION 1 PREMIER
NOORAT TERANG v RUSSELLS CREEK
Noorat Terang 2/16 (8) 8-d/269 (69) - STUMPS
In reply a number of the top order got starts, Dave Conheady with 13, first gamer Ryan Lowth 17, Dom Moloney 21 and Primmer 24.
At 6/76 McConnell joined Primmer and the pair added 31.
Things were looking a little rickety at 7/107, when the Jack’s paired up and saw the team home.
McConnell’s 45 not out off 42 balls was his highest score as a Lion, Farrell proved to be a very handy foil finishing 10 not out from 35 balls.
This weekend the division two team travels to Port Fairy.
The division four Lions made a good total of 196, however they were unable to defend it against Warrnambool, who hit out against the bowling.
Dean Abbott continued on from last season, making 82 of the 196.
Tom Conheady was next best with 21, followed by debutant Imran Javed with 20, John Clarke 16 not out and Sam Lillico 13.
Warrnambool only needed 33.2 overs and four wickets to chase down the total.
Jack Kenna with 2/30, Ollie Clarke with 1/38 and Dean Abbott taking 1/39 were the wicket takers.
This weekend the division four Lions host Nestles at Noorat.
The under 17s first day was washed out and becomes a one-day game next Tuesday.
The under 15s started a two-day game against Mortlake at the Mortlake College Ground.
They will have 45 overs Friday evening to chase 5-215.
The Noorat Terang female cricketers led the way taking four of the wickets, with Lucia Clarke taking 2/23 and Sommer Jones 2/18.
Noah Conheady was the other bowler with a wicket with 1/26, while junior player Braxton Sachs took three catches.
The under 13s started their season with a one-day game on Thursday evening and began a two-day
game Saturday morning.
Playing Nestles at the Warrnambool College oval on Thursday, the Lions batted first and made 7/83 off their 24 overs.
The three top order batsmen all retired with Leo Slater making 21, Braxton Sachs 20 and Alexander Gubbins 20.
Sundries was next best with 16.
Nestles made 5/113 with Jackson Irving have the best figures 2/5.
Aiden Richard, Remy Herry and Zac Clarke were the other wicket takers.
On Saturday the game is in the balance, with Russells Creek leading by four runs at stumps.
The Mortlake Noorat Terang Cats/Lions were 3/111 after their 24 overs, with Leo Slater making 40 retired from 40 balls with seven boundaries.
Alexander Gubbins also finished with 40 retired from 49 balls with six boundaries.
Archer Gleeson on six not out and Zachary Dolling on five not out will start again after the conclusion of the Russells Creek innings.
Braxton Sachs, Gubbins and Lewi Baker all took a wicket by bowling the batsmen.
Connor Jewell was the most economical of the bowlers with 0/5 from three overs.