Sport
18 February, 2026
Tigers push Pelicans
SIMPSON again put up a competitive performance in the round 13 Colac-South West premier competition match against Bookaar, losing by five wickets.
Batting first, the Tigers recovered from an ordinary start to reach 209, bowled out in the 50th over at the Simpson Recreation Reserve.
The contributions of the Simpson lower order turned 5/72 into their eventual final score.
“Our top order didn’t fire and our lower order hadn’t given us much in previous games” Simpson captain Jackson Rock said.
“They dug in on Saturday and pushed us towards a competitive total.”
Coming together at the fall of the fifth wicket, brothers Tanner and Bradey Fratantaro worked hard to put on 44 for the sixth wicket.
“It was good to watch Tanner and Bradey bat together.
“They knuckled down, ran well between wickets and gave the players further down the order a platform.”
Tanner made 31 from 72 balls, with Bradey scoring 20 from 45.
Rock hit 22 from 26 balls, with Hunter Reynolds and Thomas Marshall adding a valuable 46 for the ninth wicket.
Reynolds hit 26 from 21 balls, with Marshall making 29 from 20.
“Hunter and Tommy showed they are capable at this level, it was really good to see them put it together like they did.”
Bookaar got off to a flying start in the run chase, smashing 50 from the first seven overs before the first wicket fell.
“They got away from us early, once we got that first wicket we slowly started to tie them down, we were able to put pressure on them to hit through the field.”
At 5/133 the visitors still had work to do, but an unbeaten 77 run partnership for the sixth wicket between Paddy Hassett and Lachie Green saw the Pelicans home in the 45th over.
“If we could have got a wicket or two soon after taking our fifth wicket we could have had a real crack.
“Because of the start they got Green and Hassett were able to knock it around, to their credit they gave no chances.”
Chathura Wadu was the best of the Simpson bowlers with a tidy 3/23 from 10 overs, while Rock was also impressive with 1/36 from 10.
“There’s been so many positives against the top teams, there’s really something to build on for next year.”
This week Simpson play Alvie at Alvie.
In division two, Simpson had an eight wicket loss to top of the ladder West Warrion on the Warrion turf wicket..
The Tigers batted first and were dismissed for 109 in 26.2 overs.
Jono Jennings top scored with 30 from 31 balls.
The home team raced to victory in the 22nd over for the loss of two wickets.
In this week’s final round the division two Tigers play Colac at CMTP Oval.
In division three, Simpson lost to Forrest at Forrest.
Batting first, Simpson were all out for 111.
Club president Zac Tesselaar top scored with 39 from 68 balls.
Forrest replied with 6/146 when play was called.
This Saturday the division three Tigers play Stoneyford at Simpson in the final round.
In the under 14 boys on Friday night, Simpson had a 145 run loss to Irrewarra Red at Simpson.
The visitors batted first and made 3/241.
Simpson replied with 96, all out in the 26th over.
Fin Mahoney top scored with 49 from 42 balls, hitting seven fours and a six.
In the CDCA women's competition on Sunday, Simpson had a comprehensive win over Pomborneit Maroon at Simpson.
The visitors batted first and were bowled out for just 37.
Shae DeFrancesco led the bowlers with 3/4 from three overs, with Milly Saunders and Esha Crole taking two wickets each.
Simpson replied with 6/141, DeFrancesco top scoring with 32 retired from 19 balls, with Bianca Robinson 28 not out and Kelsey Fratantaro scoring 23 from 24 balls in the win.
This Sunday the second placed Tigers women play top of the ladder Pomborneit Gold in the qualifying final at Pomborneit.
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