Sport
9 October, 2025
Tough start in top division for Lions
IT was a tough initiation into Warrnambool Moyne District Cricket Association division one premier cricket for Noorat Terang, with the Lions suffering an eight wicket loss to Mortlake.
The round one clash at the Mortlake College Oval was the Lions’ first taste of the top grade of Warrnambool cricket since being promoted after winning the championship division in 2024/25.
Noorat Terang won the toss and elected to bat first, slumping to 5/39 before recovering to post 9/130 from their 45 overs.
“It was a tough day at the office,” Lions coach Liam Geary said.
Partnerships of 22 for the sixth wicket between Gus Bourke and Geary, 39 for the eighth wicket between Harry Carter and Tim Keane, and 27 for the ninth wicket between Keane and Liam Venn, pushed the Lions to a respectable score.
“The ground was super slow, so we thought anything over 120 would be competitive,” Geary said.
“Despite our poor start we knew we had lots of experience and cool heads in our lower order.”
Veteran Tim Keane and Harry Carter, on loan from South West club Ecklin, top scored with 21 and 27 respectively.
“Keaney was Keaney, difficult to dismiss, he controlled things at the end.
“Harry was really impressive with the bat, he’s a good player.”
Unfortunately for the Lions, Mortlake got off to a flier in the run chase and comfortably passed the visitors score in the 22nd over.
“(Mortlake opener) Todd Lamont really backed himself early, they got away and were hard to contain.”
Ryan Mottram, on debut for Noorat Terang after crossing from the Warrnambool CC, and co-captain Tim Delaney took a wicket each.
Along with Carter and Mottram, Oscar Ritchie and Ben Woodward made their debuts for Noorat Terang, while Darcy Abbott and Liam Venn made their first 11 debuts for the club.
Despite the loss, Geary was upbeat.
“There was some first week rust but we fielded really well and will look to tighten up other aspects of our game.”
This week Noorat Terang will host North Warrnambool, who had a seven wicket win over Port Fairy in round one, at the Noorat Recreation Reserve.
“It’ll be good to get out to Noorat this week, it’s in really great nick, looking forward to playing North Warrnambool and seeing how we will go.”