Sport
15 November, 2025
Cockerell stars as Band wilts
TOP OF the table Boort Yando meandered to a moderate total of 7-107 against Wedderburn Band in Saturday’s senior cricket clash – largely thanks to one man.
Alex Cockerell, the Magpies’ best player last season, struck a well-compiled 60, including six fours, with the next best score Brian Minogue’s 15.
The Band looked to be in with a chance of knocking off the unbeaten league leaders, but Boort Yando’s bowlers thought differently.
Wickets tumbled dramatically as Wedderburn was bowled out for a dismal 40 in 17.2 overs.
The side’s best partnership was for the last wicket – a stand of nine.
Matt Hodoras finished with 4-9 from five overs as four Magpie bowlers skittled the opposition.
Cockerell completed a fine all-rounder’s performance by taking 3-16, while Tom Potter claimed 2-11.
His fellow opening bowler Jack Weaver’s pace was too rapid for the Band’s batsmen as he steamed in with the gale-force wind behind him at Market Square oval.
Weaver took only one wicket, but his four overs cost just four runs, and no batsman could handle his speed.
Wedderburn’s top scorer was Andrew Brett, who made 21 off 27 balls with four boundaries to be the only player to reach double figures, while four batsmen made ducks.
Tom Metherell, better known as senior football coach of the Wedderburn Redbacks, took 2-9 from his five overs when the Magpies batted.
Adam Postle also picked up two wickets in an impressive Wedderburn effort with the ball.
Steve Giorlando’s spin brought him 1-9 from sever overs, and Isaac Holt took 1-20 from his seven overs.
Wedderburn, sitting second last on the ladder ahead of Bridgewater on percentage, faces reigning premiers Kingower on Saturday.
Boort Yando travels to take on Arnold, who are second on the table.
A WEEK off from his new cricketing home in the Bendigo competition saw Bridgewater’s Harry McKinley make a return to the Bulls – and what a return. cKinley belted 102 against Arnold – the first century in this Upper Loddon season – as Bridgewater stormed to its first win.
He hit 12 fours and two sixes and was fifth out with his team on 5-186.
McKinley was 49 not out when the fourth wicket fell and thrashed the ball to all parts of the Arnold ground in making 53 of a 79-run fifth-wicket partnership with Nic Naughton. Bridgewater’s final total of 7-197 from its 35 overs left the Redbacks with a mountain to climb.
And with Isaac McLean’s 29 runs the best that Arnold could muster with the bat, the chase was never going to succeed, with the Redbacks ending on 8-135.
Jack Coghlan’s 25 and Naughton’s 19 contributed to two big stands with McKinley, with most of the Arnold bowlers leaking runs at an alarming rate. Michael Dale, with 1-10 from seven overs, was an honourable exception.
Seth Hewett-Scull’s 3-25 and Coghlan’s 2-18 were the best returns with the ball for the Bulls.
The win sees Bridgewater still last, but level on six points with Wedderburn, and Arnold still in second spot.
The Bulls have this week’s bye, with Arnold hosting Boort Yando.