Sport
5 December, 2025
Late boundary gives Bulls victory
A 59 RUN 10th wicket partnership between skipper Grant Place and Finn Tolland has led Pomborneit to a thrilling one wicket win over City United in the round seven Colac-South West premier cricket match on Saturday.
City United captain Rani Jamieson won the toss and elected to bat first at the Elliminyt Recreation Reserve, the hosts making 8/165 from 50 overs.
Roshane Fernando took two early wickets to have the Knights on the back foot at 2/9.
Tharaka Sendanyake was introduced into the attack and claimed the wicket of Jamieson and then the experienced Sam Cardinal to have City United at 4/37.
The Bulls kept it tight throughout, restricting the home team to 8/165 from 50 overs.
Sendanayake was his miserly best, conceding just 19 runs from 10 overs while taking two wickets.
Lahiru and Roshene Fernando took two wickets each.
But two of the younger Bulls played their role in restricting City United.
“The figures don’t reflect how well Finn Tolland bowled, his new ball spell in particular was impressive,” Pomborneit captain Grant Place said.
“Gavin Reynolds stood up as well, we went in with one less bowler so we needed those guys to perform which they did.”
Tolland went for 30 from his 10 overs, while Reynolds took 1/25 from seven overs.
United’s 165 looked a long way off when the Bulls crashed to 7/54.
Of the Pomborneit top six, only Sam Darcy with 16 from 23 balls looked comfortable.
Roshen Fernando came out and proceeded to hit his first two balls for six.
But when he was dismissed, Pomborneit was still in trouble at 8/78.
Gavin Reynolds joined his skipper at the crease, the pair putting on 29 for the ninth wicket before Reynolds was out for 10 from 26 balls.
Finn Tolland walked out to bat in the 29th over with plenty of time to get the runs but only one wicket in hand.
With run rate never an issue, the Bulls chipped away.
“We just talked about batting time and working it around,” Place said.
“Their main bowlers were running out of overs too so that became a factor.”
Slowly creeping towards the score, Place controlled the strike while still having trust in his junior partner.
“Finn showed an enormous amount of discipline.
“He blocked everything he had to but could still score when needed.”
It came to the last ball of the 46th over where Pomborneit still needed four to win.
A short ball outside off stump was calmly put away by Tolland for four to give the Bulls an important win.
“Finn was fantastic, he showed a lot of maturity.
“There was a lot of excitement in getting that come from behind win.”
While Tolland hit the winning runs, Place steered the ship.
The Pomborneit captain, batting in the unfamiliar number seven position, made an unbeaten 49 from 106 balls in the win.
“It was a real captain’s knock,” Bulls opener Dave Murphy said.
“He kept his head, showed his experience and really controlled the run chase.”
Place understood the importance of the win.
“It was a win we needed and keeps us in touch with the top teams.”
This week the Bulls head to Timboon to take on Heytesbury-Princetown.
The division two match between Pomborneit and Bookaar at Pomborneit was washed out without a ball bowled.
This week the division two Bulls play Heytesbury-Princetown Purple at Pomborneit.
In division three, Pomborneit Gold had a 148 run win over Ecklin at Timboon High School, while Pomborneit Maroon had a four wicket win over Boorcan at South Purrumbete.
Gold batted first in their game and made 6/219.
Matt Richardson and Stephen Walters both made 58, with Jack Smith making a career best 44.
In reply, Ecklin was all out for 71 in the 34th over.
Sam Tolland led the bowlers with 3/15 from five overs, with Daniel stones and Stephen Walters taking two wickets each.
In Maroon’s game, Boorcan batted first and were all out in the final over for 128.
Hugo Saarikallio took 3/29 from eight overs, with Donnie McInnes and Darren Fox taking two wickets each.
Maroon passed the score in the 32nd over for the loss of six wickets, Darren Fox top scoring with 43 and Mark McInnes making 31.
In division three matches this week, Gold play Heytesbury-Princetown at South Purrumbete, while Maroon take on Cobden at Timboon High School.
Sunday’s senior women’s games were washed out.
This Sunday the Pomborneit Gold women play Apollo Bay at Apollo Bay, while the Pomborneit Maroon women host Carlisle River at South Purrumbete.
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