Sport
20 January, 2022
Streamrollers start 2022 strongly
NOORAT made an emphatic statement in its first game of 2022, defeating Camperdown by 89 runs last Saturday.
NOORAT made an emphatic statement in its first game of 2022, defeating Camperdown by 89 runs last Saturday.
The Steamrollers set the Lakers a mammoth target of 2/263, before its bowlers finished the job, dismissing the visitors for 172 in the 41st over.
Noorat skipper Gus Bourke finished 90 not out, alongside Isaac Kenna, who batted throughout the innings for an unbeaten 83.
Tim Delaney led the home side with the ball, taking 4/19 off his eight overs, while James Moloney claimed 3/25.
Bourke said the win gave the side a much-needed confidence boost after its last three losses.
The triumph keeps the Steamrollers in the running for a finals berth, with the side level on points with Bookar and Terang in the battle for fourth spot.
“We played the top three teams in a row, Heytesbury, Pomborneit, and Mortlake, and we weren’t really close with them,” Bourke said.
“It was a real eye-opener to see how far we have to improve to be in the top four.”
Noorat’s total of 263 put immense pressure on the Lakers, and Bourke praised his fellow batsmen.
“Our batting’s probably our main strength, with Isaac (Kenna), (Jacob) Fishwick, and myself and Steve Connor,” he said.
“If one of us gets going, we’ll have a good score to play to.”
Bourke was particularly pleased with young opener Isaac Kenna’s development throughout the season.
“I’ve told him, just whatever happens, don’t go out,” he said.
“Put some value on your wicket.
“It’s good to have him up there, not blocking heaps, but hitting ones and twos, not going for the big shots.
“(It lets us) have me and Jacob Fishwick up the other end playing our aggressive games knowing that we’ve got wickets in hand with Isaac up the other end.”
Noorat is set to face Bookaar this week, and Bourke is looking forward to the fourth-spot showdown.
“We usually split our games every year – we win at home, then they win at their home, so we usually have some pretty good games with them,” he said.
“With Fraser (Lucas), and Simon Baker, and Eddie Lucas, they’ve got a pretty good side, it should be a good game.”
In the other matches, Terang kept pace with Noorat and Bookaar, as it defeated Cobden by five wickets.
Terang’s bowling attack was ruthless, denying Cobden any opportunities to build meaningful partnerships with the bat.
Brett Hunger (3/7) and Tyson Hay (3/23) were best with the ball, setting the Goats up with a relatively comfortable run chase of 93 runs.
Opener Liam Geary was Terang’s rock at the crease, making 47 not out.
Woorndoo’s woes continued with a loss at home to Heytesbury.
The Tigers struggled to take wickets against a composed Rebels batting line-up, but contained the visitors to 6/178.
In reply, the home side could not overcome the difficult batting conditions and was dismissed for 128.
This week Terang host second-placed Pomborneit, while Woorndoo takes on last-placed Camperdown.