Sport
22 November, 2025
Morgan wipes out Blues’ tail
The Saints won the toss and elected to bat, beginning their innings with discipline and composure.
AN emphatic 84-run victory in in Saturday’s Wimmera Mallee cricket will long be remembered by St Arnaud debutante Morgan Greenaway.
His 6/18 meant the Saints were emphatic in defeating Charlton at Charlton Park.
The Saints won the toss and elected to bat, beginning their innings with discipline and composure. Bradley Williams (22 from 79 balls) provided the early backbone, and Kynan Torney complemented him strongly, helping set the tone with calm, steady batting before falling for 11.
Their patience blunted the new-ball threat and allowed the innings to settle. Contributions from Lachlan Patching (18), Jacob Patching (10) and Ned Gorrie (11) maintained stability through the middle overs. The innings closed with real momentum as Sam Penfold and Michael Stones combined in a composed, intelligent partnership, featuring smart and energetic running between wickets that placed the Charlton fielders under constant pressure and pushed St Arnaud to 6/141.
Charlton’s chase suffered immediate setbacks thanks to the Patching brothers’ disciplined new-ball assault. Jacob Patching was clinical, taking 3/10 from eight overs — including four maidens — and removing both openers with precision.
Alongside him, Lachlan Patching landed the most significant early blow when he dismissed Charlton’s key batter, Billy Sexton, a moment that further tilted the contest in St Arnaud’s favour. His 1/8 from five overs added vital pressure.
From there, the match turned completely following the introduction of Morgan Greenaway. On debut and showing maturity well beyond his years, he bowled with outstanding control, generating movement through the air and maintaining relentless accuracy. His spell quickly became the talking point of the day: team-mates erupted with every breakthrough, spectators gathered in mounting excitement, and Charlton’s batters were left stunned as wickets tumbled at rapid pace.
Greenaway finished with extraordinary figures of 6/18 from 5.4 overs, tearing through the middle and lower order and sealing Charlton’s innings at 57. Only Leigh Van Boven (18) mounted any real resistance.
While the Saints’ performance featured valuable contributions across the XI, this match will be remembered above all for Morgan Greenaway’s unforgettable debut — a spell of rare quality that thrilled his team, energised supporters, and left opponents with no answers.
Marnoo reinforced their status as the competition’s leading premiership contender on Saturday, producing a composed and clinical performance to defeat the Southern Mallee Giants by six wickets at Hopetoun Recreation Reserve.
The result keeps Marnoo undefeated on top of the ladder with 14 points, further tightening their grip on first place, while the Giants remain close behind on 12.
After being sent in, the Giants were immediately pressured by a disciplined Marnoo bowling group. Benjamin Newton set the tone with two early wickets, removing both openers to leave the home side wobbling at 2/5.
Jack McAllister then took control through the middle overs, returning an exceptional 3/17 from eight overs in a spell that rarely offered a scoring opportunity. David Lang completed the damage with a devastating burst of 3/3 from four overs, exploiting the conditions superbly.
Supported by the economy of Darcy Cameron (0/3 off 4) and sharp fielding around the ground, the Giants were restricted to just 69 from 31.3 overs.
In reply, Marnoo’s chase reflected the calmness and depth expected of a side shaping as the most serious premiership threat in this year’s competition. Jimmy Duxson made a brisk start before falling for 13, but it was Brylie Cameron who took command. His authoritative 35 from 39 balls — featuring six boundaries and a six — ensured Marnoo were always ahead of the rate and well in control.
The Giants briefly rallied through Jackson Moore’s three-wicket spell, but at 4/54, Marnoo’s depth came to the fore once more. New signing Daniel Schaper, who will play out the season with Marnoo, guided the chase with a steady unbeaten 8. His addition rounds out a batting lineup that is not only balanced but capable of producing a big total very quickly when conditions suit. McAllister finished the job with a swift 6 from just two balls, sealing the win at 4/70 in 14.1 overs.
With another comprehensive display across all phases, Marnoo continue to set the benchmark in the Wimmera-Mallee competition — disciplined with the ball, sharp in the field.
Read More: Local