Sport
31 October, 2025
Rain sees cricket abandoned
RAIN was the winner in round four of the Warrnambool Moyne District Cricket Association division one premier competition on Saturday, with all matches starting but later being abandoned.
Dennington was sent in to bat by Mortlake at the DC Farran Oval and reached 8/168 from 45 over in the first match played on the Mortlake turf wicket in the 2025/26 season.
Dilip Tharaka top scored with 36 from 53 balls for the Dogs, captain Ben Rantall making 25 not out.
Todd Lamont, Charlie Mahncke and Damien Goddard took two wickets each for the Cats, Mortlake not getting to bat as the rain hit during the innings break.
At Jones Oval, the Northern Raiders were sent into bat by Merrivale and were dismissed for 144 in the 43rd over.
Opener Ed Taylor was the standout, making 64 from 61 balls including eight fours and a six, with Isaac Wilson scoring an unbeaten 33 from 74 balls as the rest of the lineup crumbled.
For Merrivale, captain Josh Stapleton and vice captain Mark Jones took three wickets each, Jones conceding just four runs from his eight overs including six maidens.
The Tigers were 1/23 from 7.5 overs when the match was abandoned due to rain.
Russells Creek batted first in the first match on the Jetty Flat turf for the season against North Warrnambool and were bowled out for 149 in the 42nd over.
Jack Rhodes top scored with 41 from 77 balls, while paceman Hank Schlaghecke took three wickets for the Eels.
North Warrnambool reached 26 in the sixth over without loss before the game was called off.
Port Fairy batted first and scored 4/159 from 45 overs against Nestles at Avery’s Paddock.
Captain Murray Staude top scored with 48 not out from 65 balls, with opener Jason Perera scoring 32 from 61 balls.
In reply, Nestles were 1/26 from seven overs when play was stopped.
At the Davidson Oval, West Warrnambool batted first and made 7/148 in 45 overs against Warrnambool.
Opener Toby Madden scored 35 from 65 balls, while BenThrelfall made 31 from 63 balls.
Tharanga Jayawardhane led the Warrnambool bowlers with 3/24 from eight overs.
Warrnambool were 0/10 from four overs when the game was called off.
At Allansford, Noorat Terang batted first and were dismissed for 137 in the 44th over.
Captain Bailey Kavenagh top scored with 48 from 123 balls for the Lions.
Shiv Kumara and Simon Richardson took three wickets each for Allansford-Panmure.
In reply the Gators rushed to 1/37 in five overs before play was abandoned.
All WMDCA women’s games on Sunday were called off early.
This week’s division one premier men’s games see the start of two-day matches.
Mortlake will host West Warrnambool at the DC Farran Oval, Allansford-Panmure play Port Fairy at Allansford, Russells Creek travel to Terang to play Noorat Terang, Warrnambool and Merrivale will clash at the Walter Oval.
Reid Oval will have Nestles playing Dennington while the Northern Raiders will host North Warrnambool at Purnim.
In the women’s competition on Sunday, Warrnambool will play Mortlake at Brierly, North Warrnambool host Russells Creek at Bushfield, Dennington meet Cobden at Dennington, Nestles play Koroit at Wenborn Oval, Allansford-Panmure travel to play Hawkesdale at Hawkesdale with Wangoom having the bye.
