Sport
22 January, 2026
Mortlake resumes with two wins
SINCE the resumption of play in the Warrnambool Moyne District Cricket Association after the Christmas break, Mortlake has scored two wins from two games in the division one premier competition.
On January 10 at the DC Farran Oval, Mortlake batted first, posting 7/200 from its 45 overs in the round nine match against North Warrnambool.
Jack Lehmann top scored with 59 from 65 balls, hitting seven boundaries in his first half century of the season.
Veteran all-rounder Clinton Baker made 55 from 60 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, putting on 104 for the fifth wicket with Lehmann.
Mortlake ran through the visitors top order, North Warrnambool dismissed for 146 in the 41st over.
Lamont led the way, taking 3/49 from nine overs, Kalhan Sineth took 2/16 from nine with Baker and teenager Max Slater taking two wickets each.
At the Walter Oval on Saturday in the round 10 match against Warrnambool, the Cats had a two wicket victory.
Warrnambool batted first, making 8/149 from their 45 overs.
Clinton Baker bowled six maidens in his 2/14 from nine overs, taking the new ball and also bowling at the end of the innings.
Craig Britten and Sam Wareham also took two wickets each.
Mortlake’s reply got off to a strong start with a 67 run opening partnership between Saman Gonawala and Adam Atwood.
Gonawala was the first to go for 41 from 47 balls, hitting five boundaries.
Atwood fell soon after for 21 from 80 balls.
Mortlake slumped to 6/95 then 7/124, before finally passing Warrnambool’s score in the 43rd over eight wickets down.
Baker continued his strong all-round game with 32 from 37 balls, with two sixes and a four.
He was the eighth and final wicket to fall with two runs required to win.
Co-captains Todd Lamont (13 not out from 15 balls) and Craig Britten on one not out guided the team over the line.
The win sees Mortlake in fifth position with three two-day matches remaining.
This week the premier division Cats start a two-day fixture against the Northern Raiders at Henderson Oval.
The championship division also resumed on January 10, with Mortlake registering a five wicket win over Merrivale at Merrivale.
The home team batted first and were all out in the 34th over for 98.
Left arm opening bowler Arlo Herry led the Mortlake attack with 3/17 from six overs, with off spinner Sonny Podger continuing his strong season with 3/26 from nine overs.
Mortlake passed Merrrivale’s score in the 29th over for the loss of five wickets.
Josh Jewell made an explosive 56 from 55 balls, hitting six boundaries, while captain Stephen Blacker played the anchor role, finishing unbeaten on 27 from 79 balls as the target was successfully reached.
On Saturday at the DC Farran Oval, Mortlake had a six wicket loss in the round nine championship game against Allansford-Panmure.
Batting first, Mortlake posted 1/147 from their 45 overs.
Teenage pair Taj Podger and Max Slater put on an unbeaten 127 run partnership for the second wicket.
Podger was 54 not out from 144 balls, with Slater unbeaten on 63 from 107 balls when the innings was closed.
Allansford-Panmure comfortably reached the target in the 31st over for the loss of four wickets.
Cooper Herry was the picks of the Mortlake bowlers with 2/33 from nine overs, with leg-spinner Podger and junior player Elijah Bradbury taking a wicket each.
This week in the championship division Mortlake start a two day game against Spring Creek at the DC Farran Oval.
Mortlake’s division three team resumed on Saturday at Wangoom and had a six wicket loss to the home team.
Batting first, Mortlake were dismissed in 38.3 overs for 126.
Openers Jason Harris (31 from 46 balls) and Corey Rounds (23 from 39) were the top scorers.
Wangoom passed the score with relative ease in the 25th over for the loss of four wickets.
For the division three Cats, Jordan Wareham took two wickets with Will Ruddle taking one.
Mortlake’s women’s team return this Friday night with a match against Cobden under the DC Farran Oval lights.
The Mortlake Cobden under 17 team started a two day game on Tuesday at Port Fairy, and batting first piled on 326 runs in 44.4 overs before being bowled out.
Opener Charlie Mahncke smashed 80 from 38 balls, with eight fours and five sixes.
Sam Wareham also had a big night, hitting 87 from 71 balls, hitting seven boundaries.
Paddy Hassett was the other main contributor, unbeaten on 62 from 62 balls.
The match will continue this Tuesday.
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