Sport
4 March, 2026
Elimination final awaits Storm
A FINAL round loss to City United has seen Heytesbury-Princetown finish the home and away season in sixth place in the Colac-South West cricket premier cricket competition.
Sent into bat at the Timboon Recreation Reserve, the Storm was restricted to 9/207 from its 50 overs.
After being 2/23, a 98 run third wicket partnership between Simon Harkness and Travis Brown put the Storm back on track.
Harkness scored an innings high 52 from 91 balls, with Brown making 51 from 78.
“It’s really good for Trav and the team too that he's finding form at the right time of the year” Storm skipper Matthew Love said.
“Harko (Harkness) just keeps on turning out the runs as well and continues to bat well.”
Set for a big score, City United kept the Storm’s batsmen in check.
“The way we were going, we were looking like 250 plus was what we should have posted. “They kept it tight through the middle and we probably just lost some key wickets at the wrong time, guys that were set, so at the end of the day, that was probably where we lost it.”
The visitors came out in a hurry, smashing their way to victory in just 25 overs for the loss of five wickets.
“They came out hard, a lot of things went their way, when you’re only allowed two fielders out in the first 10 overs it’s hard to restrict teams who come out like that.
“Credit to them, they batted very positively but very well.”
Chris Vogels took two wickets for the Storm but at an uncharacteristic 8.85 runs per over.
In Saturday’s elimination final, Heytesbury-Princetown will play Pomborneit at Warrion, a ground unfamiliar to both teams but not to Love, who played there in his time with Stoneyford.
“It's a beautiful cricket ground so I’m looking forward to getting back to Warrion.
“It’s a ground that both clubs aren't too familiar with but is always good to play on.”
The match between the clubs during the season was washed out after 32 overs with the Storm on 5/103.
“It’s always a good contest against Pomborneit, we're coming in pretty fresh.
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Only having been in the field for 25 overs on Saturday.”
In division two, Storm Blue had an 82 run win over Boorcan at the Timboon High School oval, while Storm Purple had a nine wicket loss to Cobden at Cobden.
Ashley Price top scored with 87 from 95 balls, with eight boundaries, in Blue’s 6/237.
Jordan Fowler hit two sixes and four fours in his 47 from 34 balls batting at number six.
Boorcan in reply made 7/155 from their 40 overs, with Isaac Holland and Fowler taking two wickets each.
Storm Purple were all out for 87 in the 24th over batting first.
Opener Ben Newey dominated the innings with 48 from 50 balls.
Cobden raced to victory in just 13.5 overs for the loss of one wicket.
Storm Purple finish the season in seventh place, with Storm Blue finishing fourth.
Blue will play Pomborneit this Saturday in a semi final at Pomborneit.
In division three, the unbeaten Storm team had a decisive 217 run win over Ecklin at Princetown.
Batting first, Heytesbury-Princetown smashed 4/268 from their 40 overs.
Opener Cody Noonan hit 129 from 113 balls with 14 fours and six sixes, while Bailey Delaney was unbeaten on 52 from 47 balls.
Ecklin were then rolled 51 in 23.5 overs.
Daniel Balcombe took four wickets with Nathan Balcombe taking three.
This week sees the division three Storm play Cobden at Ecklin for a place in the grand final.
Read More: Princetown