Sport
13 March, 2026
Golden win for Bulls
POMBORNEIT Gold has taken out the premiership in the Colac District Cricket Association women’s competition, defeating Birregurra by 77 runs in last Sunday’s grand final at CMTP Oval.
The win marks the club’s second top tier women’s premiership in six years of competition and the club’s third senior women’s premiership overall.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Gold reached 43 in 7.3 overs before skipper Samantha Coxon was the first to fall, caught for a run a ball 23.
Coxon’s opening partner Tayla Reynolds was run out soon after for 14.
Gold were 3/56 when Nellie Sadler was caught and bowled by former Pomborneit captain Narelle Place.
Gold vice-captain Jess Moulden put the innings back on track, smashing an unbeaten 30 with six boundaries.
“Jess came into the game with a really bad back,” Coxon said.
“Yet she was able to really hit the ball hard as she normally does; I think the ones she missed hurt her back more than the ones she hit.”
Jada Mahony also played a crucial role in getting Pomborneit Gold to the eventual total of 5/123 from its 25 overs with 28 from 40 balls.
“Jada played the innings we really needed, she had a real crack,” Place said.
“You always want more but 123 in a grand final felt a good defendable score.”
The victory was sealed early as the Gold bowlers reduced Birregurra to 5/9.
Coxon took the first wicket, caught by Lenise Mantell at mid-on, with Tayla Reynolds taking the second wicket via a mid-wicket catch by Jess Moulden.
Teenager Lucia Clarke was introduced into the attack and took the big wicket of Narelle Place, with Clarke bowling the next two batters in quick succession.
“Our bowling was really on early.
“Tayla bowled as quick as she had all season, especially in her first over, then Lucia came on and was equally hard to play.”
Clarke ripped through the Saints line-up, finishing with 4/17 from five overs.
A busy season saw the young bowling all-rounder primed for the final.
Clarke played 54 games in 2025/26, in addition to playing for Pomborneit she represented Essendon Maribyrnong Park, Noorat Terang and Allansford-Panmure.
“While Lucia has had a big workload, you can really see the value of the amount of cricket she has played.
“She has improved out of sight, she swings the ball well and has added a lot of pace to her bowling.”
Coxon and Reynolds returned to finish off the Birregurra innings; the Saints dismissed in 18.5 overs for 56.
Reynolds finished with 2/11 from five overs, with Coxon, who took the final wicket, fittingly caught by Lucia Clarke, taking 3/5 from 4.5 overs.
“We haven’t had the best record in grand finals, our first win (in 2023/24) had a big feeling of relief, I think we were able to enjoy this one a bit more.”
After winning every home and away game last season only to fall to Apollo Bay in the semi-final, the first undefeated season for the Pomborneit women was pleasing for Coxon.
“It was just so good to put together a perfect, complete season.
“I genuinely think this is the best team we’ve fielded, and the closest group too, we’re really close and the banter is elite.”
Clarke was named player of the match for her efforts with the ball.
With Pomborneit’s division one men playing at the same time, the Bulls supporters were split between two Colac venues.
“There was a lot going on, but we were thrilled with the support from the Bulls community throughout the day.
“The win certainly meant a lot to us and it was fantastic to have the level of support we got.”
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