Sport
16 October, 2025
Into the breach steps Rowe
KINGOWER took out the Upper Loddon cricket grand final rematch against Wedderburn Band to lay an early marker for the new season.
KINGOWER took out the Upper Loddon cricket grand final rematch against Wedderburn Band to lay an early marker for the new season.
In the absence of last season’s standout player, Jayden Leach, who is playing lawn bowls this summer, his partner in crime, Matt Rowe, was the star with the bat.
Rowe and Leach dominated the competition in 2024-2025, and the Kingower opener’s 48 on Saturday helped his side get within 19 runs of the Band’s total of 9-118 before he was dismissed in the 25th over.
Number three bat Blake Pickles chimed in with 28 as Kingower cruised to victory.
Wedderburn was put into bat and only Isaac Holt, with 26 off 31 balls, was able to get hold of the bowling.
A patient 19 from Steve Giorlando propped up the middle order, but the Band couldn’t cobble together any significant partnerships in the face of some steady Kingower bowling.
Pickles took 3-20 from six overs including two maidens, with five other bowlers taking a wicket each.
Kyle Simpson was dismissed early in Kingower’s chase by Adam Postle, but Rowe and Pickles put on 44 for the second wicket before Pickles fell for a quickfire 28 that included two sixes and two fours.
David Rose’s hand of 16 batting at number five helped Kingower edge towards Wedderburn’s total.
But a quick collapse of 3-4 gave the Band some hope as the home side slumped to 6-103.
However, Tyler Murphy and Tynan Hywood added an unbeaten 35 runs for the seventh wicket to steer Kingower home.
Postle took 2-24 from seven overs as Wedderburn shared the wickets around.
This Saturday, Kingower will take on Arnold, while Bridgewater Bulls will face Boort Yando, with Wedderburn having the bye.
It will be Bridgewater’s first game of the season.