General News
5 February, 2021
Bulls’ premiership defence alive
POMBORNEIT breathed life back into its premiership defence last Saturday with a much-needed win over Bookaar.
POMBORNEIT breathed life back into its premiership defence last Saturday with a much-needed win over Bookaar.
The Bulls recorded a 51 run victory at Frederick Street to jump back into third on the ladder after it had slumped to fifth following its defeat to Cobden on January 9.
Skipper Grant Place said the win was important for his side as the season reaches its final month.
“With the Heytesbury-Terang result going the way it did it put us back into third on percentage,” he said.
“There’s a little bit of lee-way for us now with say the weather this weekend or if we were to drop a game we wouldn’t be as reliant on results.
“With that game we dropped against Cobden we couldn’t afford to lose many, if any, so we probably put it on ourselves to turn it around.
“I know you go out to win every game but it was obviously do-or-die for us at that point.”
Place was pleased his side was able to produce another strong performance with the ball after posting 140 with the bat.
Lahiru Fernando (3/19), Tim Place (2/23) and Jack Darcy (2/12) shared the wickets after Tim Place (20), Tom Place (19), Luke Reynolds (18) and Dave Murphy (16) had earlier made starts.
Fraser Lucas (19), Charlie Lucas (11) and Simon Baker (10) were the only players to reach double figures for the Pelicans as they were skittled for 89, while four bowlers took wickets for the home side.
Place said while he was disappointed his batsmen did not produce a bigger score, he said the target they set proved decisive in the result.
“The key for us was posting a score (we could defend),” he said.
“We had a few too many make starts and not go on with it, but it was enough in the end.
“Those blokes that did make a start were able to help us post a score that proved to be enough but we had confidence with our bowling side we could defend it.”
The Bulls are now set to face Simpson at Pomborneit this weekend, ahead of the bye next week.
At Terang, strong all-round performances from Tyson Hay (61 and 3/12) and Tim Keane (24 and 3/7) saw the Goats defeat the Rebels by 62 runs.
The Goats posted 7/135 with the bat but dismissed Heytesbury for just 63 in the run chase.
Elsewhere, top sides Mortlake and Noorat both remain in contention for the minor premiership after the pair recorded wins over Cobden and Simpson respectively.
The Cats top order, led by Clinton Baker (41) and Todd Lamont (35) set up its 27 run victory before Todd Robertson (2/19), Jack Lehmann (2/27) and Lamont (2/21) ripped through the Knights middle order.
Steve O’Connor’s knock of 55 helped set up Noorat’s 93 run win over the Tigers, while Jason Harlock (4/26), Daniel Kenna (2/23) and Jimmy Moloney (2/4) were important with the ball.
Meanwhile, Bulls veteran Tony Evans will play his 350th game for the club in the division three clash with Noorat this weekend.