Sport
27 February, 2026
Bulls retain Hillman Shield
THE Graham Hillman Memorial Shield will stay with Pomborneit for another 12 months after the Bulls scored a 37 run win over Camperdown in the round 14 match in the Colac-South West premier cricket competition.
Batting first at SA Wright Oval, Pomborneit was in big trouble after crashing to 5/28, and still in a poor position after losing their eighth wicket with the score on 82 in the 26th over.
Tharaka Sendanayake was single handedly doing the scoring for the Bulls, and was then joined at the crease by Finn Tolland.
Not for the first time this season, Tolland showed he could stick around to support his batting partner.
The pair put on a vital 87 run stand for the ninth wicket;Sendanayake bringing up his century in the process.
“Finn has shown a few times this year that he can really dig in and hold up an end,” Pomborneit captain Grant Place said.
“He was the perfect foil which allowed Senda to play his game.”
Sendanayake was eventually dismissed for 107 from 133 balls, hitting 17 fours and two sixes.
“Senda has a knack of lifting when we are in trouble.
“Saturday’s game looks very different if he didn’t play the way he did.”
The Bulls were bowled out in the 46th over for 169, with Tolland remaining unbeaten on five from 44 balls.
Tolland and Roshane Fernando came out firing with the new ball to reduce the Lakers to 5/36.
“Finn in particular bowled very well, he bowled with good zip.”
At 7/123, Camperdown looked dangerous until a run out before Roshane Fernando bowled the Lakers number 10 and 11 which saw the home team all out for 132.
“It’s always nice to keep the Hillman Shield, it’s a game that’s very important to both clubs.”
Sendanayake was awarded the Allan McKenzie medal as player of the match.
In tomorrow’s final round, the Bulls head to Port Campbell to play Simpson.
“Looking forward to having another hit on turf before finals, it’s a must win game for us.”
In division two, Pomborneit scored a 48 run win over Bookaar at Frederick St.
Led by 61 from 54 balls to skipper Charlie Voutier, the Bulls made 228, all out in the 40th over.
Junior player George Sadler batted well for 43 from 37 balls, with Simon Tolland making 39, Gavin Reynolds 27 and opener Fletcher Tolland 24.
Pomborneit was able to bowl tightly and took regular wickets, dismissing the home team for 180 in the 38th over.
Max Rees led the bowling with 3/30 from six overs, while Mikey Hayes and Stephen Hill took two wickets each in the win.
In tomorrow’s final round, the division two Bulls play Ecklin at Pomborneit.
In division three, Pomborneit Gold had a three wicket win over Cobden at Pomborneit, while Pomborneit Maroon scored a four wicket win at Ecklin.
Cobden scored 5/208 against Gold, with skipper Aaron Van Es taking 2/17 from five overs.
Gold chased the score down in the 36th over led by 74 from 56 balls to opener Matt Richardson.
Ecklin made 7/157 batting first against Maroon, with Daniel Stones and Jonty Raven taking three wickets each.
Raven led the way with the bat, scoring 53 from 75 balls as Maroon passed the score in 29.5 overs.
In tomorrow’s division three games, Gold play Boorcan at Boorcan, while Maroon host Woorndoo at South Purrumbete.
Pomborneit’s under 17 boys bowed out of the finals race after a draw in Tuesday night’s semi-final at CSC Oval.
After the start was delayed by over an hour due to rain, Irrewarra Black batted first and made 8/146 from their 30 overs.
Spinners Fletcher Tolland and Josh Reynolds took three wickets each.
In reply, Pomborneit went hard at the bowling as the light faded, reaching 7/125 from 19 overs before it became too dark for play.
Opener George Sadler top scored with 33 from 19 balls.
In the under 16s on Sunday, Pomborneit had a seven run win over Cobden at Cobden.
The Bulls batted first, making 5/163 with George Sadler making 42 and Jonty Raven 41.
Cobden fell just short with 9/156 in reply, with Jonty Raven and Josh Reynolds taking three wickets each.
The two teams will meet again in Sunday’s grand final at SA Wright Oval.
In the under 14s on Friday night, Pomborneit scored 3/214 batting first against West Warrion, led by 42 to Bailey Fox and 32 to Noah Boyd.
West Warrion replied with 7/127, with Wally Rees taking two wickets.
Tonight’s semi-final sees Pomborneit take on Alvie at Pomborneit.
The under 13 Bulls had the bye on Monday night, this Monday they will play Bookaar in a semi-final.
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