Sport
21 January, 2026
Koalas receive an outpouring of support
Carranballac Cricket Club has returned to the cricket pitch with an outpouring of support after losing their clubrooms in the Streatham fire two weeks ago.
After calling off round 12, the Grenville Cricket Association resumed with round 13, with Carranballac playing Lexton Tigers at Lexton Recreation Reserve.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Koalas were bowled out for 99 in the 34th over.
Eric Duff and Patrick Halliday started well for the Koalas with a 38-run partnership, both scoring 17 runs. James Porter chipped in with 19, but it was the cameo at the bottom of the order from James Ellis that was the talking point.
At 8/73, Ellis was joined by Leigh Graham, and with Graham playing an excellent supporting role, with eight runs off 31 balls, Ellis was able to score at the other end, scoring 17 to help propel the Koalas to 99.
Peter Manser led the way for the Tigers with the ball, taking 3/23 (8), while Brendan Bee claimed 2/10 (5).
Defending the small total, the Koalas started well with Marcus Graham dismissing the dangerous Andrew Doolan for two. The Tigers rallied, and led by Peter Manser with 29, chased the total down in the 26th over, finishing at 6/102.
Bryce Karslake and Brendan Bee remained unbeaten on 14 and 13, respectively.
The day wasn’t about a result for Carranballac Cricket Club. It was about getting out there playing cricket again.
President Luke Jackson said the support they have received has been unbelievable.
“There has been massive support, and the Lexton boys were very generous on the day, and even gave us a donation,” he said.
“We had dinner with Beaufort on the way home, and they have also handed us a donation, and we have had outpouring support by clubs from everywhere, including Melbourne, Ballarat, Warrnambool and the Wimmera.
“It shows how close the cricket community is, and it's unbelievable and we can’t thank them enough.”
On the game itself, Jackson said it was great to be back out there playing and credited James Ellis for his batting.
“He did a fantastic job, and while we were probably 20 or 30 runs short, he and Leigh [Graham] batted ten overs, which was good for us and made a game of it,” he said.
“It is his first year at the club, and it’s fantastic to have him around as he is a brilliant person and jumps in and helps out in every way and is a big asset.
Carranballac will hold the rest of their home games at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve, and with it being a turf wicket, it is the first time in the Grenville Cricket Association that cricket will be played on turf.
“Tatyoon reached out to us straight away and was willing to let us play on Saturday as they have juniors on Friday and Sundays,” Jackson said.
“They are stoked to have senior cricket back in the district, and it will be a challenge as a few of our lads haven’t played on turf apart from maybe the odd representative game.”
Carranballac will play its first match there in round 14 on Saturday, January 31, as the league takes a break for the Australia Day long weekend.
Read More: Lexton