Sport
6 February, 2026
Lucas shines for Pelicans
BOOKAAR’S first match of 2026 in the Colac-South West premier competition has seen the Pelicans go down to Birregurra by three wickets.
Batting first at the Birregurra Recreation Reserve, Bookaar was bowled out in the 50th over for 250.
Opener Simon Baker picked up where he left off before Christmas, smashing 75 from 56 balls, including 14 fours and a six.
“Bakes batted incredibly well, he gave us a lot of momentum,” Bookaar skipper Lachie Green said.
“We thought 250 was about par, I wasn’t over the moon with that score but thought it was competitive enough.”
Fraser Lucas batted well for 50 from 70 balls, with Albie Cheeseman and Green contributing 29 and 38 respectively.
“Fraser’s knock was really important, he batted well.Probably myself and Albie threw our wickets away by going a bit hard, there’s a big score around the corner for Albie when he does convert one of his starts.”
Birregurra was in early trouble and steadily lost wickets to be 7/158 after 34 overs.
The eighth wicket pair of James Rowan and Harley Cobb put on an unbeaten 93 to see the Saints pass the score in the 48th over.
“There was a few questionable decisions that probably didn’t go our way,” Green said.
“We’ve probably now got our first real rivalry out of the Colac teams.”
Best with the ball for the Pelicans was Fraser Lucas, who took 2/23 in 10 straight overs with the new ball.
“Fraser was brilliant, I couldn’t get the ball out of his hand.
“He knocked over their two best batsmen (Alex Inglis and Liam Hammond), it was a great effort on a hot steamy day after he had batted for 20 overs, he’s as fit as he has been for a few years now.”
Tim Fitzgerald and Michael Winzar also took two wickets each for Bookaar.
This week the fifth placed Pelicans take on Camperdown at SA Wright Oval.
“Camperdown are always a dangerous team at home as they showed when they beat Colac.
“Jye McLaughlin is obviously their big wicket, he always seems to do well against us.”
In division two, Bookaar scored a thumping nine wicket win over Heytesbury-Princetown Blue.
The Storm batted first at Frederick St and were bowled out in the 38th over for 214.
Myles Sinnott led the Pelican attack with 4/38 from eight overs, with Jeremy Lucas taking 2/20 from seven.
Bookaar flew to victory in reply, making 1/218 from just 23 overs.
Opener Stephen Fitzgerald top scored with 75 not out, Luke O’Neil smashed 67 and Henry Green hit an unbeaten 63.
Tomorrow the division two Pelicans play Cobden at Frederick St.
Bookaar scored a strong win over Heytesbury-Princetown at Timboon on Sunday.
The Storm batted first, all out for 116 with Arlo Herry, Elijah Bradbury and Xander Kent taking two wickets each.
The Pelicans replied with 8/227, Kent making 48, Herry 46 and Jimmy Cheeseman 39.
This Sunday Bookaar plays Pomborneit at Frederick St.
In the under 13s on Monday night, Bookaar defeated Cobden, 4/99 to 9/98.
Nash Kent top scored for Bookaar with 23, with Jobe Kent taking two wickets in Cobden’s innings.
Bookaar’s women play Camperdown at Camperdown tomorrow, while Pelican’s under 17 girls resume tonight against Pomborneit at Frederick St.