Sport
26 November, 2025
Storm top-order batsmen dominate
THE dominance of Heytesbury-Princetown's top order batting continued on Saturday in the Storm’s massive win in round six of the Colac-South West premier cricket competition.
Batting first, the Storm piled on 1/378 from 50 overs at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.
Captain Matthew Love made 186 not out from 151 balls, hitting 14 fours and 11 sixes.
Fellow opener Hamish Huffadine made 93 from 85 balls, hitting four fours and seven sixes, while Simon Harkness finished unbeaten on 79 from 66 balls, with three fours and four sixes.
Love’s score was his highest in Australia, the former premier cricket level star having made a double century during a stint playing in England.
“Hamish was the one who got us away to a flier early, he plays a big part in setting up those kinds of scores,” Love said.
“I was able to bat at my own pace, once I got to 100 I was able to open up the shoulders and really go for it.”
Love also had praise for the continued good form of Harkness.
“That’s three not outs in a row for Harko, he’s in phenomenal form, he’s such a good team player.”
Opening bowlers Matt Price and Chris Vogels then proceeded to rip through the Woorndoo top order, reducing the home team to 5/43.
“Matt and Chris bowled exceptionally well early, we’re in good form at the top of both of our batting and bowling.”
Tommy Illingworth impressed in his six over spell, taking a wicket and conceding just five runs.
“Tommy will get a lot of confidence out of that, he’s just getting better and better.
“Good leg-spinners are hard to find, he has a real thirst for the game.”
The Storm handed a division one debut to junior player Alby Jones, who bowled three overs for nine runs.
“We said to Alby before the game to soak it up and enjoy the experience.
“He bowled well when he got his chance.”
Woorndoo was eventually dismissed for 83 in the 40th over, the Storm running out winners by 295 runs.
This week the Storm play Alvie at Alvie.
“Alvie will be a step up, we’ve put a big emphasis on playing well during this stretch of away games.”
In division two, Storm Blue had a 44 run win over Pomborneit at Timboon, while Storm Purple had the bye.
Blue batted first and were dismissed for 129 in the 40th over, Beavan Castles top scoring with 26 from 19 balls.
At 2/56 Pomborneit looked on target to reach the Storm’s total, before losing 8/29 to be all out for 85.
Nathan Gillingham took 3/3 with two wickets each to Ryan Jones, Isaac Holland and Sam Lenehan in the win.
This week Blue has the bye, with Purple hosting Cobden at Timboon.
In division three, the Storm had a comfortable eight wicket win over Boorcan at Boorcan.
The home team was bowled out for just 41, with Leigh Doak taking 3/2 from five overs.
It took Heytesbury-Princetown just 9.2 overs to reach the victory total for the loss of two wickets.
This week in division three Heytesbury-Princetown play Cobden at Princetown.
In the under 16s, the Storm had a 176 run loss to Pomborneit at Timboon on Sunday.
Pomborneit batted first and made 6/206 from their 35 overs.
Cooper Doolan led the bowling with 2/22 from five overs.
In reply the Storm were all out for just 30 in the 16th over.
In the under 13s on Sunday, Heytesbury-Princetown had a 38 run loss to Cobden at Timboon High School.
Cobden batted first and made 2/109 from 24 overs, with the Storm replying with 2/71.
This week’s junior games see the under 16s play Bookaar at Frederick St, while the under 13s play Ecklin at Ecklin.
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