Sport
30 January, 2026
Heat gives T20 title to the Magpies
BOORT YANDO seniors have been declared winners of the Loddon Herald Cup for the competition’s T20 champions.
The final was due to be played last Saturday but the Upper Loddon Cricket Association invoked its heat policy and cancelled the match against Kingower.
The Magpies were handed the win because they headed the T20 ladder after the round-robin matches.
ULCA president Kane Arnold told clubs on Friday afternoon: “The BOM forecast is a top of 41 in Boort tomorrow, which means the senior T20 game is abandoned.
“As such the winners of the T20 series is awarded to the top team Boort.
“As disappointing as this is, the health and safety of players and umpires is our priority.
“As the state moves into an unprecedented heat wave we hope everyone stays cool and looks out for one another.”
The Kingower versus Boort Yando junior match was played earlier in the day at the Gower’s home ground because the forecast at the time was for 32 degrees.
Cricket resumes this Saturday with two-day matches in which Arnold Redbacks host Wedderburn Band and Bridgewater is at home to Kingower, with Boort Yando having the bye. With three rounds remaining before finals, Boort Yando and Kingower are assured of making the top four.
The battle for third and fourth places is close, with Wedderburn six points ahead of Bridgewater and Arnold another four points back.
With six points on offer for a win, all three teams are still firmly in the race, although the Redbacks have a bye in round 15 which makes their task difficult.
To come are another two-day round on February 14 and 21, and a one-day round on February 28.
- GARY WALSH