General News
27 January, 2022
Cats fall to Brierly in Super Over thriller
MORTLAKE Cats had mixed results over the weekend, defeating Heytesbury Rebels convincingly on Saturday but dropping out of the Sungold Twenty20 Cup with a loss to Brierly in Dennington.
MORTLAKE Cats had mixed results over the weekend, defeating Heytesbury Rebels convincingly on Saturday but dropping out of the Sungold Twenty20 Cup with a loss to Brierly in Dennington.
The Twenty20 competition, which includes clubs from Colac to Penola, was the focus for Mortlake in the lead-up to the weekend, and the Cats came agonizingly close to winning their first-round match-up.
The Cats bowled first after losing the toss, and restricted Brierly to 6/130, but found themselves 19 runs short with six deliveries remaining.
However, Josh Jewell’s 18 runs from eight balls and Lachie Higginson’s 16 from four balls pulled Mortlake level after their 20 overs, triggering a super over showdown.
Mortlake could only manage five runs in their extra over, which Brierly overcame with two fours off two balls.
Corey Rounds (30) and Isaac Wareham led the batting for the Cats, while off-spinner William Kane took 3/13 with the ball.
Mortlake captain Todd Robertson said while his team was disappointed with the loss it was proud to have competed the way it did.
“In Twenty20 you need everything to go your way to get the ultimate result,” Robertson said.
“We’re proud of our efforts, of making it and putting ourselves in a position to contest.
“But a few little things didn’t go our way, which probably proved costly in the end.
“It’s always a good opportunity to go to the Sungold and test yourself against the better teams in the better leagues.”
On Saturday, Jack Lehmann had a day out at the crease, hitting an imperious 133 runs off 106 balls to lead Mortlake to a 14-run victory over top of the table rivals Heytesbury.
William Kane joined Lehmann with a handy 42 and their 79-run partnership formed the basis of the winning total of 9/275.
The home side chased hard but couldn’t stay the course, bowled out for 261 in the final over.
William Kane (4/57) decimated the Rebels’ middle order, taking four consecutive wickets in a row during a spell that saw Heytesbury fall from 4/172 to 8/209.
Ultimately, that period of the game broke the Rebels’ rhythm and guaranteed the win for Mortlake.
The win puts Mortlake two games clear of the Rebels and Pomborneit.
Reflecting on the weekend overall, Robertson also pointed to the quality of inclusions Josh Slater and Jake Tanner, brought in for Neil Kelly and Clinton Baker.
“The young kids that played for us were fantastic,” said Robertson.
“Young Joshie Slater fielded like a demon for us, and Jake Tanner played a pivotal role.
“It’s good to have the depth to cover guys like Neil and Clinton.”
This week Mortlake travel to Pomborneit where they hope to follow-up last week’s victory over second, with a win over third.