Sport
7 November, 2025
Undermanned Pelicans take the win
AN undermanned Bookaar team stood up when it counted to record a 26-run win over Irrewarra in its round three Colac-South West Premier cricket match.
Winning the toss and batting first at the Colac Secondary College Oval, the Pelicans piled on an impressive 7/293 from their 50 overs.
Simon Baker continued his strong start to the season with 88 from 104 balls, including 13 boundaries.
Baker and teenager Albie Cheeseman put together 79 for the third wicket, with Cheeseman making 44 from 43 balls.
“That partnership was very important, Albie has learnt a lot from playing alongside ‘Bakes’, the experience for him of batting with our experienced players is invaluable,” Bookaar captain Lachie Green said.
Batting at number five, Tim Fitzgerald played a major role in setting up Bookaar’s score with an unbeaten 77 from 69 balls.
His innings featured six fours and three sixes.
“Timmy is a quality player, he’d bat top four in most other sides.
“He’s one of our bigger hitters so he plays that role down the order extremely well.”
Green said the Pelicans knew they needed that kind of score.
“CSC Oval is a fantastic, quick ground, we were aiming for a score between 250 and 300.”
The home team was in trouble early, slumping to 3/11.
“That start for us was massive, though we knew they still had good players to come in.”
Runs through the middle order, including 89 to English import Harris Cathcart, saw the Redbacks challenge the Pelicans total.
In the end, Irrewarra was dismissed for 267 in the 46th over.
Louis Darcy took 4/66 from nine overs, but Michael Winzar and Tim Fitzgerald were the most impressive of the Bookaar bowlers.
Fitzgerald took 1/33 from 10 overs, while death bowling specialist Winzar took 3/38 from nine.
“Timmy knows his job is not to take three or four wickets, it’s to go for three an over, something he does brilliantly.
“Michael doesn’t touch a new ball at training, he trains to bowl at the end and executes his plans very well.”
The Pelicans were thrilled with their win with several regulars unavailable, including Green.
“It was a fantastic win that really shows our depth.”
This week Bookaar host Ecklin at Frederick St.
In division three, Bookaar had a 20 run win over Heytesbury-Princetown Purple.
Batting first, Bookaar was bowled out for 111 in the 29th over, with Nathan Moran top scoring with 26 from 24 balls.
The Storm could only manage 91 in reply, losing their final wicket in the 31st over.
Moran and Thomas Baker taking three wickets each for the Pelicans.
Bookaar’s women’s team started its season with a 50 run win on Wednesday night.
Captain Audrey Ringe top scored with 30 retired in Bookaar’s total of 2/107.
In reply, Cobden Gold could only manage 5/57 from their 20 overs, with Jada Mahony taking 2/8.
In junior cricket, Bookaar’s under 16s were bowled out for just 16 in their match against Cobden.
The Knights replied with 7/145 from their 35 overs to score a strong win.
The under 13 Pelicans had a 23 run win at Pomborneit on Monday night.
Stella Hinds top scored with 21 retired in the Pelicans total of 112.
Pomborneit replied with 5/89, Jobe Kent the best of the Bookaar bowlers with 2/2 from three overs.
This week’s games see the division two Pelicans play Storm Blue at Timboon, Bookaar’s women host Ecklin on Wednesday night, the under 16 boys play Heytesbury-Princetown at Timboon while the under 13 boys play Cobden at Camperdown number two on Monday.
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