Sport
11 February, 2026
Boyle’s big ton back in ones
AN extraordinary innings from Lachie Boyle has propelled Cobden to a 137 run victory in the round 12 Colac-South West premier cricket match against Woorndoo.
Batting first at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve, the Knights were in early trouble at 3/20, and were 4/60 in the 19th over when Boyle walked out to bat.
Boyle proceeded to plunder the Woorndoo attack to all parts of the ground, smashing 162 from 88 balls.
Boyle's innings included 14 fours and 12 sixes as he took advantage of the short square Woorndoo boundary.
It was an innings much needed for Boyle, as the first year Cobden player, recruited from Boorcan, was dropped to division two the week before.
“It’s been a bit of a kick in the bum” Boyle said.
“I’ve never been dropped before, I had a bit of a nervous time waiting to bat.”
Eddie Walsh was the other main contributor with 51 from 43 balls, featuring in a 92 run fifth wicket partnership with Boyle as the Knights posted a massive 9/325.
“It was a good partnership with Eddie, we took our time and worked in increments and set little goals.
“He batted very well.”
Captain Johno Benallack joined Boyle when Walsh was dismissed, the pair putting on 56 for the sixth wicket.
“My opportunities have been a bit limited this season with Cobden having so much batting depth.
“Johno was good enough to give me a chance at number six, he’s a very selfless captain, he could have batted up the order in this game but gave others a chance.”
The century was Boyle’s 10th of his career, fourth at division one level, first for the Knights and his highest career score.
“The feeling when I got to 100 was of relief, but I had overs left to bat and wanted to go on with it.
“It was one of those days where you’re in the zone and feel you can hit it wherever you want around where they put the field.”
Woorndoo came out and blasted 50 from the first five overs in the run chase.
Paul Pekin picked up the wicket of the dangerous Tyler Schafer, who had smashed 28 from 11 balls to start to slow the Tigers momentum.
“Woorndoo came out pretty hard, we were lucky to pick up Schafer when we did.
“Once he and Jarryd Walsh (32 from 27 balls) were out it slowed right down.”
Pekin also dismissed Walsh on his way to 2/50 from 10 overs.
Off-spinner Matt Harkin was at his miserly best, taking 2/33 from 10 overs as Woorndoo were bowled out in the 45th over for 188.
“Our bowling was great, it was a good opportunity to throw the ball around and use a few guys a bit differently.”
Boyle is enjoying his first year with the Knights.
“It’s a different kettle of fish to playing at Boorcan where we were always struggling to have enough players wanting to play division one.
“At Cobden there’s 16 or 17 players pushing to play in the ones, it makes you work hard and put plenty of pride in your game.”
The win sees the Knights in sixth place with three rounds to play.
This week Cobden will face Irrewarra at Colac Secondary College Oval.
“Every game is a must win now.
“Pretty much every game is a final now, it’s important to get on a roll and keep going now.”
In division two, Cobden had a four wicket loss to Bookaar at Frederick St.
Batting first, the division two Knights were in all sorts of early trouble, crashing to 5/15.
Solid lower order contributions from Lenny Walsh (24 from 51 balls), Ash Rosolin (27 from 28) and Grady Rooke (26 from 25) saw Cobden post a respectable 134, all out in the 36th over.
The home team passed Cobden's score in the 26th over for the loss of six wickets.
Michael Pegg, with 2/22 from seven overs, and Jonty Robertson with 2/30 from 6.1 overs were the best of the Cobden bowlers.
This Saturday the division two Knights host Ecklin at Cobden.
The division three match on the Cobden Turf was over early after Cobden bowled Boorcan out for just 15 in 15.5 overs.
Bailey Clarke ripped through the Dragons top order, taking 4/2 from five overs, Broly Henderson took 3/2 from three overs with young spinner Eamon Sloane taking two wickets without conceding a run.
The home team passed the score in the sixth over, losing two wickets in the process.
The win gives the fourth placed Knights a two game break over fifth placed Ecklin with three rounds to play, with the two teams set to meet this Saturday at Ecklin.
In the under 16s on Sunday, Cobden scored a 125 run win over Heytesbury-Princetown at Cobden.
Batting first, the Knights posted 3/201 from their 35 overs.
Openers Monty Darcy and Michael Benallack put on 79 for the first wicket, making 43 and 41 respectively.
The innings was well finished off by Will Darcy who was unbeaten on 40 and Ben Vogels who was 38 not out.
Cobden then bowled the Storm out for 76 in 31.3 overs.
Rhys Darcy took 2/9 from four overs, with Sam Robertson taking 2/9 from 2.3 overs.
This Sunday in the under 16s Cobden play Bookaar at Cobden.
On Monday night in the under 13s, Cobden had a win over Boorcan at Boorcan.
This Monday night in the under 13s Cobden meets Heytesbury-Princetown at Camperdown number two.
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