Sport
16 October, 2025
Lions show improvement in top grade
NOORAT Terang proved more competitive in their second match at division one premier level, pushing North Warrnambool throughout and only losing by three wickets in a rain-interrupted match.
Eels captain Tyler Fowler won the toss and sent Noorat Terang in to bat at the Noorat Recreation Reserve.
Openers Ben Woodward and Ryan Mottram put on 26 before Woodward was bowled for nine, with Mottram the second wicket to fall for 19 off 25 balls with the score at 37.
The Lions collapsed to 5/63 before a 53-run partnership between Gus Bourke and coach Liam Geary took the score to 116 before Geary was dismissed for an innings high 34 from 42 balls.
Bourke made 33 from 49 balls as the Lions pushed the score to 156 before being bowled out in the 37th over.
“Initially we were really happy with our score,” Geary said.
“The openers got us off to a good start, then we had some good little partnerships in the middle and lower order.”
Opening bowlers Bourke and Mottram got the Lions off to a strong start with an early wicket each, before North Warrnambool put on 64 for the third wicket.
“Gus bowled beautifully at the top, him and Ryan opened well together and set the tone, bowling tight in tandem.”
Co-captain Tim Delaney coming into the attack in the 21st over started a swing back in the Lions favour.
Delaney slowed the scoring and picked up three wickets for 25 runs in his eight over spell.
“We probably brought Tim on a bit late, he got the game back on our terms.
“His bowling with the pace off was harder for them to work around.”
The Eels passed the score in the 36th over, seven wickets down.
Kory Howlett, batting at number three, was the standout for North Warrnambool, guiding the visitors home with an unbeaten 75 from 89 balls.
SUNGOLD DIVISION 1 PREMIER
Noorat Terang v North Warrnambool
Noorat Terang 10/156 (36.3) lost to North Warrnambool 7/158 (35.2)
“Howlett was definitely the difference in the game, he batted exceptionally well, he gave us no real chances.”
Despite the loss, Geary was happy with the improved showing.
“It was a big step forward, the whole team lifted and performed much better,” he said.
An even bigger challenge awaits the Lions this week, travelling to Purnim to take on the reigning premiers, the Northern Raiders.
“It’s a huge test, they’re obviously the competition standouts but it will be good to see how we go against them.”
Noorat Terang’s under 17 team started its season on Tuesday night with a 19 run win over Warrnambool in a Twenty20 game at Noorat.
Opener Lachlan Primmer top scored with 32 retired from 24 balls, with Hugh Kenna making 24 from 11 balls and Ollie Clarke finishing on 17 not out in the Lions’ total of 6/108.
Noorat Terang then restricted Warrnambool to 7/89 from their 20 overs.
Lucia Clarke took 2/23 with the new ball in the win.
In the under 15s on Friday night, Noorat Terang also started with a win over Raiders/Nirranda at Deakin University.
Batting first, the Lions made 5/95 from their 20 overs.
Hugh Kenna top scored with 31 from 27 balls, while openers Ollie Clarke, with 22, and Liam Kenna, with 19, also batted well.
The junior Lions then restricted the home team to 7/58.
Riley McIntosh led the bowlers with 2/11, with a wicket each to Lucia Clarke, Braxton Sachs and Noah Conheady.
In this week’s junior games, Noorat Terang’s under 15s start a two day game on Friday against Nestles at Noorat, while the under 17s start a two day game against Dennington on Tuesday at Dennington.