Sport
11 February, 2026
Simpson Tigers upset Saints
SIMPSON scored their second win of the season in the Colac-South West premier competition with an upset seven run win over Birregurra.
The Tigers batted first in the round 12 match at Birregurra, making 8/232 from their 50 overs.
Opener Chathura Wadu top scored with 74 from 90 balls, including six boundaries.
“It was a pretty good knock from Sammy (Wadu)” Simpson captain Jackson Rock said.
“He puts pressure on the bowlers and fielders and doesn’t have to hit it in the air to do it, yet he still scored at a good rate on Saturday.”
Wadu and Tom Weel put on 116 for the second wicket.
“Tommy came in and steadied the innings and supported Sammy well.
“It allowed the other guys down the order to come in and play with a bit of freedom.”
Contributions in the middle order came from Nick Harding with 33 from 40 balls, Phil Vines 28 from 44 and Tanner Fratantaro 16 not out from 15.
“We were pretty happy with our score, the ground wasn’t lightning quick, we definitely would have taken that at the start of the day.”
Kris Ackerley took the crucial early wicket of Alex Inglis for 7, with Rock introduced into the attack early and proving to be typically miserly.
“Momentum went back and forth all innings” Rock said.
“The (fifth wicket) partnership between Michael Fallon and Grant Nel in particular felt like they were taking the game out of our hands.”
Wickets continued to fall as Birregurra continued to edge towards Simpson’s score.
“I never felt confident at any stage that we had it in the bag.”
Birregurra were bowled out in the 49th over for 225 to give the Tigers a seven run win.
Kris Ackerley took a season best 4/45 from 10 overs, with Rock taking 2/19 from 10.
“Kris was great towards the end of the innings, he took three vital wickets and bowled a good stump to stump line.”
Rock believes the win is a good reward for his team.
“It’s fantastic for the boys to put all aspects of the game together and beat a top four team.
“Despite not many wins we haven’t been smashed this year, we just haven’t put all facets together on the same day.”
This week Simpson will host Bookaar at Simpson.
“We’ve got a tough run home but we’ll go in with much more confidence after this result.”
In division two, Simpson's hold on a top six position was strengthened with a five wicket win over Alvie at Alvie.
The home team batted first and were dismissed for 93 in 38.1 overs.
Liam Ackerley starred with the ball, taking 4/11 from eight overs.
Simpson chased down the score in 22.2 overs for the loss of five wickets, led by an unbeaten 33 to Bailey Vines.
This week the division two Tigers play West Warrion at Warrion.
In division three, Simpson had a 73 run loss to Lorne at Simpson.
The visitors batted first, making 217.
Junior player Noah Deppeler took his first five wicket haul at senior level, finishing with 5/17 from four overs.
The Tigers could only manage 9/144 in reply.
Nick Duynhoven made 50 not out from 43 balls, Zac Tesselaar 25 from 29 and Owen Leighton 20 not out in the unsuccessful run chase.
This Saturday the division three Tigers play Forrest at Forrest.
Simpson couldn't field an under 14 team on Friday night and were forced to forfeit to Birregurra.
This Friday the under 14 Tigers play Irrewarra Red at Simpson.
In the CDCA women's competition on Sunday, the match was washed out just as Simpson were about to claim victory over Birregurra.
Played at the Simpson Recreation Reserve, the round 10 match saw third placed Birregurra bat first against second placed Simpson.
The visitors were bowled out in 18.5 overs for just 65.
Competition leading wicket taker Shae DeFrancesco took 3/7 from 4.5 overs, with Esha Crole taking 3/9 from three overs.
In reply Simpson crept to 4/60 from 17.1 overs before the rain hit and the match was abandoned, the points split between the two teams.
In this week's final home and away match, Simpson will play Pomborneit Maroon at Simpson.
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