Sport
13 March, 2026
Simpson’s early hit starts rot
Kingower earns chance to defend Upper Loddon title
KINGOWER has swept into the Upper Loddon Cricket Association grand final with a win over Bridgewater Bulls built on an early onslaught with the ball.
Bulls opener Tom McKinley was coming off an unbeaten century the previous week, but he fell for just one run, bowled by Kyle Simpson with the score on six.
Andrew Collins swiftly followed, then brothers Nic and Toby Naughton were both out with the total on 34 as opening bowler and captain Matt Rowe strangled the batting.
He eventually managed a remarkable 2-6 from eight overs with six maidens.
When Ben Rose bowled Brad Wickham, the score was 5-42 off 16 overs, and Bridgewater was struggling to stay afloat.
A 33-run partnership between Andrew Duguid (31) and Dave Harrison (21) steadied things, but Blake Pickles decimated the lower order, taking four consecutive wickets on the way to taking 4-15 from eight overs.
The Bulls’ 105 was never going to be enough against then Gower’s strong batting lineup.
And while two spectacular catches to Collins and McKinley – the latter sprinting 30 metres around the boundary to snare a fabulous running catch – briefly gave Bridgewater some hope, Simpson took control with a blazing 58 not out from only 34 deliveries.
Will Deason hit a well-made 30 from 46 balls before departing thanks to McKinley’s blinder, and Kingower passed Bridgey’s total in just 23.3 overs.
Simpson’s power was illustrated in his unbroken 40-run partnership with David Rose, whose share of the stand was nil.
Skipper Tony Naughton picked up all three wickets to fall, ending with 3-23 from five overs.
The Bulls did well to make the finals after a poor start to the season but the unavailability on the day of some key players including Josh Martyn and Harry McKinley didn’t help their cause.
- GARY WALSH