Sport
9 January, 2026
Colts start its title defence against Owls
With two competitive defeats in the one-day sphere, Maryborough will hope the third time’s a charm when they open their red-ball season against Colts Phelans.
The reigning premiers will have an extra fire in their belly coming back from the holiday break after losing their third one-day Grand Final to Laanecoorie Dunolly in four years.
The Colts found themselves in a winnable position thanks to a crucial 88-run partnership between Tarkyn Balzan and Asim Akhtar, as well as a quickfire 50 from Rhys Egan, guiding them to 7/186 at the conclusion of the first innings.
However, their title ambitions hit a brick wall called Tom, as Laane’s openers Tom Hannett and Tom Hart knocked the wind out of the Colts with a 99-run opening stand, allowing Laane to cruise to their fifth straight one-day premiership.
Despite the bitter disappoint-ment, the Colts can ill afford to dwell on those feelings for long, as a defeat to Maryborough would place the Owls within touching distance of second, currently occupied by their upcoming opponent.
The Colts hold a 15-point advan-tage over the third-placed Owls, primarily due to sweeping their one-day series against their cross-town rivals.
In both matches, the Colts’ batting depth shone through, starting in round two. Chasing down 215
after a splendid 54 from Jason Hunt, a 132-run partnership between Balzan and Josh Collinson set the stage for a seven-wicket Colts victory with 13 balls remaining.
Despite defending 120, the Owls were seemingly in control of their round seven meeting with the Colts at 4/25 on an eventful Ron Sinclair Oval pitch.
Yet, after Akhtar began to shift momentum, Luke Tatchell showed incredible poise to steer his team home.
The Colts’ riches in batting depth have been a staple of their success this season. They are the only team in the competition to have six batters score more than 150 runs during the one-day season.
Meanwhile, the Owls only have three batsmen who have surpassed that quota. However, that number likely would be higher if their games with Beaufort and Laanecoorie Dunolly weren’t washed out.
Fresh off bashing 85 from 84 balls in his last outing against Carisbrook, Maryborough’s leading run-scorer, Oliver Bennett, will be keen to send a message after making just 33 in his first two knocks against the Colts.
Another batter who excelled in Maryborough’s six-wicket win over last season’s runners-up was Martin Dell, who impressed with an unbeaten 81 off 72 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and two sixes.