Sport
6 March, 2025
Finals milestone for Lions
FOR the first time in its short history, the Noorat Terang Lions Cricket Club will have all three senior sides playing finals in the Warrnambool Moyne and District association.
With the firsts and thirds already locking in spots, the seconds needed to defeat third-placed Port Fairy to finish in the top six.
The Lions batted first last weekend and once again stalwarts Dave Conheady and Bernie Harris got the side off to a good start with 84 on the board before Dave was dismissed for 35 off 60 balls with four fours.
Bernie was run out with a direct throw just after making his 50 off 90 balls with six boundaries.
The side lost its way struggling at 7-138 before Hugh Giblin and Brett Hunger added 35 for the eighth wicket.
Hugh’s innings was extremely important in the context of the match and highlighted the potential he possesses.
His 41 from just 29 deliveries showed power and precision, with his best shot a straight drive past the bowler and was one of the three fours to go with his two towering sixes.
Brett’s speed between the wickets ensured that Hugh got as much of the strike as possible.
Brett finished 11 not out off 10 balls, with the side at a defendable 9-173.
In the field the game ebbed and flowed, with Port Fairy recovering from 3-29 to go to 71 before the next wicket fell.
They steadied to get to 106 and then lost five wickets to be 9-134.
A last wicket partnership looked to thwart victory before co-captain Martin Wynd ended the innings at 151.
Andrew Battistello proved to be the best bowler taking 3-23 from his nine overs.
Brett Hunger 2-23 and Jonathon McConnell 2-30 were the other multiple wicket takers.
Hugh Giblin and Darcy Abbott, along with Martin, captured one wicket.
For the second week in a row Dom Kenna took the first two catches.
The seconds’ semi-final will be against Nestles at the Jones Oval in Warrnambool.
This is a big turf wicket ground.
The firsts started their two-day game against Warrnambool at the Terang Turf with the visitors electing to bat first.
This match saw wicketkeeper Luke Kenna take five catches in a superb effort to support the bowlers.
Warrnambool was dismissed for 146 in the 63rd over with all bowlers used taking a wicket.
Sam Munro’s 3-26 from 14 overs were the best figures and Gus Bourke the other multiple wicket taker with 2-13.
The Lions had 14 overs to face until stumps.
Isaac Toombs was unwell and Dom Moloney and Bailey Kavenagh opened and within sight of stumps Dom was dismissed for 12.
This weekend Bailey (22 not out) and Liam Geary (three not out) will resume at 1-37.
The thirds had the road trip to Hawkesdale in what was a prelude to this weekend’s semi-final when the teams will face off again.
The Lions batted first and made 7-188 with John Clarke achieving his highest score of the season with 68 from 82 balls with 10 boundaries.
Mark Lillico 36 from 56, Declan O’Connor 18no, Eamonn O’Connor and Dean Abbott both 12 made handy contributions with the bat.
Hawkesdale made a good fist of the run chasing, finishing at 8-174 off their 40 overs.
Young Sam Lillico backed up again with multiple wickets with 3-23 from six overs.
Jack Kenna 2-30 and single wickets to Charlie Roberts, Tom Conheady and Dean Abbott.
Jesse Unthank, while wicketless, bowled the most economical spell with 22 coming from his seven overs.
By virtue of finishing on top, the thirds have been awarded the opportunity of playing Hawkesdale at Noorat this Saturday, with the winner moving on the grand final.
The hard work of the Noorat grounds people has been rewarded with this venue being considered worthy of a final.