Sport
30 January, 2026
Trio masterminds big victory
BOORT YANDO juniors beat the heat and Kingower last Saturday, getting a one-day clash completed before the temperature became too overwhelming.
The Magpies remain undefeated at the junior level since the beginning of last season and seem all but unbeatable for the 2025-26 premiership.
Playing at home, the Gower won the toss and elected to bowl, and Boort Yando’s powerful top order immediately clicked.
Jake O’Flaherty (31), Owen Byrne (30) and Cooper Gooding (31) all retired not out as the side put on 127 before the first wicket fell.
Only two other batters reached double figures but the tally of 5-157 from 28 overs set Kingower a serious task.
It proved way too challenging for the hosts, who battled to 7-70 from their 28 overs.
The highest score was opener and captain Morgan Lonza’s 18, with Riley Leach, who retired not out on 11 and Xander Wilson, who was dismissed for the same total, the only others to hit double figures.
Jamie Penrose was a standout with the ball for Kingower, taking 3-15 from two overs. Flynn Lonza and Heath Leach were the other bowlers to claim a wicket.
Ryder Smith’s 0-7 from five overs with three maidens was worthy of note given that he opened the bowling against the Magpies’ stars.
Boort Yando shared around the wickets, with Brady Gilmore’s 2-7 from three overs the best return. Brodie McPherson took 1-1 from three overs with two maidens in a fine display of tight bowling.
A two-day round – the last before finals – begins on Saturday, with Boort Yando at home to last-placed Wedderburn Band and Kingower travelling to Bridgewater to take on the Bulls.
Given the state of the ladder, the same match-ups are likely in the first week of the finals.