Sport
6 December, 2025
Simpson standout on day the ‘regulars’ took a break
HAVING almost half a side missing didn’t faze Kingower as it crushed the Bridgewater Bulls by nine wickets on Saturday.
Chasing the Bulls’ total of 101, the Gower openers made quick work of winning the game, belting 106 off just 14 overs for the loss of one wicket.
Kyle Simpson was the standout, hitting a brilliant 77 before skying a catch trying to smack another boundary after his side had passed Bridgey’s score.
Simpson hit 11 fours and three towering sixes in his brutal innings, while fellow opener Matt Rowe compiled a gentle 19 not out at the other end.
Missing key players including Will Deason, Blake Pickles and David Rose, Kingower roped in a couple of veterans in Mark Lamprell and Brett Wilson and also gave games to talented juniors Ryder Smith and Matilda Rose. The Bulls won the toss and chose to bat.
A 30-run opening stand promised a reasonable score, but wickets fell at regular intervals after that.
Only four players could reach double figures as Bridgewater lost its last six wickets for 23 runs.
Mark Lamprell, returning to the Kingower fold after 13 years, took 4-12 from his four overs of accurate medium-pace.
Captain Matt Rowe claimed 2-12 from seven tight overs, while Nick Leach took 1-4 from 3.3 overs.
Fill-in keeper Tynan Hywood took four catches.
The chase began sedately enough, the Kingower openers making 15 runs from the first four overs, but Simpson in particular began to open his shoulders from the seventh over onwards.
He took a special liking to Nic Naughton’s medium pace, with 23 runs – 20 of them from boundaries – coming off just two overs.
Seth Hewett-Scull was the Bulls best bowler, with his three overs costing only 13 runs, including the innings’ only maiden.
Josh Martyn took the only wicket to fall and finished with 1-28 from four overs.
Kingower is now comfortably in second place on the ladder behind Boort Yando, which had the bye.
Arnold forfeited its match against Wedderburn Band, which was to be played on the Band’s turf wicket.
This Saturday sees Bridgewater at home to Wedderburn and Kingower hosting undefeated Boort Yando.