Knights restrict Lakers

COBDEN remains undefeated in the Colac South West premier cricket competition after a six wicket win over Camperdown on Saturday.

Camperdown elected to bat first in the match transferred from the turf wicket at SA Wright Oval to the Camperdown number two hard wicket.

“It was an interesting start, we got some early wickets then they had a good partnership between Jye Mclaughlin and Noah Riches,” Cobden stand in captain Matthew Kemp said.

“They batted well but we gave them a couple of chances.”

After being 3/116, Riches and McLaughlin were dismissed in quick succession and the Knights took charge, bowling the Lakers out for 195 in the 37th over.

“It was a good achievement to keep them under 200 on that small ground, we were happy with that.”

Parker Walsh took 3/37 from 7.4 overs, with Darcy Meade’s 3/44 from nine overs the highlight for Kemp.

“Darcy bowled uphill into the wind, he stepped up when it was tough and was the pick of the bowlers.

“He got both Jye and Noah out and really changed the game a bit for us.”

Paul Pekin and Matt Harkin were the other wicket takers with two each.

“Considering the ground size and how the batters hit with the wind our bowlers all did well.”

A second wicket partnership of 106 between opener Campbell Walsh and Kemp set up the win, with the Knights passing the Lakers score in the 39th over for the loss of four wickets.

Walsh made 38 from 75 balls, with Kemp top scoring with 65 from 96 with two fours and two sixes.

“Campbell has stood up well since he’s gone back up to open” Kemp said.

“He’s just so solid in holding his wicket, he’s the safety net others can bat around.”

Of his own score, Kemp was happy to contribute in the absence of regular skipper Johno Benallack.

“I batted reasonably well, would’ve liked to have gone on with it a bit more but happy to contribute to getting the game in our control.”

Eddie Walsh finished off the game with an unbeaten 40 from 33 balls including three fours and three sixes.

This week the Knights face the Colac District CA Knights, City United, in the first match on the Cobden turf wicket for the season.

“Not sure what to expect from City United but it looks like they’ve been going well.

“Our wicket is looking really good, it’s the best I’ve seen it look this time of year, it’s got a really good coverage of grass.”

In division two, Cobden and Pomborneit played out a thrilling tie at the South Purrumbete Recreation Reserve.

Batting first, Cobden were forced to work hard for their runs, opener Matt Clarke with 19, Michael Pegg with 20 and Luke Hickey with 24 all making starts.

The innings was accelerated when Brandon Goodhall came out to bat, hitting two fours and three big sixes in an innings high 35 from 24 balls as the Knights were dismissed in the 37th over for 140.

Momentum wavered between the two teams in the second innings of the match, coming down to the last ball with Pomborneit needing two to win.

A hit to long on saw the Bulls get a run, a good throw from Grady Rooke causing a run out on the second run, the scores locked on 140 apiece.

Michael Pegg claimed 4/25 from eight overs, with Ash Rosolin and Cooper Beard taking two wickets each.

The scheduled division three game between Cobden and Woorndoo was cancelled due to ground availability.

In the under 16s on Sunday, Cobden had a 50 run loss to Pomborneit at Pomborneit.

The home team batted first, making 3/177 from their 35 overs.

Captain Eamon Sloane was the best of the bowlers with 2/20 from six overs.

In reply Cobden made 6/127, with Clem Walsh top scoring with 38.

Monday night’s under 13 was washed out.

The South West CA women’s competition started last Wedn-esday night, with Cobden Blue losing to Ecklin at South Purrumbete and Cobden Gold going down to Bookaar at Frederick St.

Ecklin batted first against Cobden Blue, making 0/113.

Giaan Gration top scored with 26 not out from 51 balls in Cobden’s reply of 5/81.

Bookaar batted first against Cobden Gold, making 2/107, with Charlotte Meade and Harmoney Bishop taking a wicket each.

In reply Gold could only manage 5/57, with Ingrid Bellman top scoring with 20.

This week’s games see the division two Knights play Bookaar at Timboon High School and the division three Knights playing Pomborneit Gold at Camperdown number two.

On Sunday Cobden’s under 16s host Heytesbury-Princetown at Cobden, while on Monday night the under 13s play Boorcan at Camperdown number two.

In women’s cricket, coming off the bye Cobden play Nestles at the Reid Oval in the WMDCA competition, while in the south west competition tonight Cobden Blue host Nirranda at South Purrumbete and Cobden Gold play Camperdown at Camperdown number two.