General News
22 March, 2023
Premiers
MORTLAKE has brought home Warrnambool District Cricket Association’s division four premiership flag.
MORTLAKE has brought home Warrnambool District Cricket Association’s division four premiership flag.
The Cats put on an impressive display at Purnim’s Peter McDonald Oval to win by five wickets over Nestles.
With Purnim winning the toss and elected to bat first, the Cats were quick to set about restricting their opponents at the crease, with some good fielding and effective bowling.
Team captain Will Ruddle said he was “thrilled” with his side’s performance and the premiership win was reward for effort.
“The boys all put in a great performance on the weekend and when we restricted Nestles to 6/139 I was confident we could run down that total,” he said.
“I honestly thought we’d be chasing around 180-200 runs so I had every confidence in our batters.
“Patrick Drake was great with the bat and he finished on an unbeaten 88; together with Jack Clifford on 31 they put on a really nice partnership.”
Drake was also effective with the ball, taking 1/23 off his eight overs to be named player of the match.
Other Cats bowlers to have an impact included Hamish Hobbs with 2/23 off eight and Mark Lehmann 2/27 off eight.
“Considering at the start of the year we were staring at the possibility of not even having the numbers to field a side in division four, it’s amazing how we finished,” Ruddle said.
“We had quite a few juniors step up and fill in for us early in the season just to keep a team on the ground and we’re thankful to them all for their contributions.
“This was a win not only for the division four team but for the entire club and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Club president Simon Ritchie also spoke of the club’s pride at bringing home a premiership flag in its inaugural season in the Warrnambool District League.
“It’s pretty special to do so well in our first season in a new league,” he said.
“As a club we’re extremely proud of the division four team – and of our division one side who made it through to last weekend’s semi-final. While they unfortunately didn’t win, it was a credit to them all to get that far.”
Mortlake’s division one side, led by senior coach Todd Lamont, was beaten by Nestles in last Saturday’s semi-final at Walter Oval.
The Cats finished the day on 117 while Nestles went on to post 2/120.
Middle order batsmen Jack Lehmann (32) and Todd Lamont (25) were best for the Cats, along with tail-ender Josh Jewell who was unbeaten on 17.
Best of the bowlers were Lamont 0/14 off eight, Todd Robertson 0/27 off eight, Clinton Baker 0/25 off nine and Lachie Wareham 0/20 off six.