Playing in a Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) division three game against Dennington on the Dennington hard wicket, Prisco was dropped second ball of his innings. The experienced right-handed opener went on carry his bat and make 217 along the way.

Prisco was also dropped on 190.

“It’s a small ground so if you can get in and spend some time the runs come,” he said.

“It’s either fours, sixes or singles on that ground and I was lucky to hit them alright.”

Prisco’s innings included 21 fours and 12 sixes and contributed to a team score of 5/412 from 40 overs.

It was an innings that almost didn’t happen with Prisco having contemplated retirement at the end of last season.

“After we won the division three premiership last year I thought maybe it would be a good way to finish,” he said.

“But I just couldn’t give it up.

“I thought while I can still play, I might as well keep going.”

In his six seasons at Russells Creek, Prisco, who is originally from Geelong, has made a habit of going big. 

While this was his first double-century, it was his eighth ton, and the third time he has passed 150.   

Gun N’ Roses sung about it and farmers crave it, but for local cricketers, November rain, particularly on a Saturday, can be an unwelcome arrival.

So far, the opening six rounds of the WDCA’s division one competition have been played without weather delays.

But back in November 1997, the weather gods were not as kind.

Pictured above is star Nestles batsman Glenn Skilbeck, who was playing against West Warrnambool in the 1997 encounter.

Nestles had bowled the Panthers out for 110 the previous week with players greeted by rain when they arrived for day two.

But patience paid off for Skilbeck and his teammates, with play finally beginning at 4.10pm.

Skilbeck made an unbeaten 25 to lead the Factory to a winning score of 2-113. 

Alastair Templeton 57 (West Warrnambool), Weranga Bulathwala 51 (East Warrnambool-YCW), Cameron Williams 134 (Russells Creek), Chris Bant 75 (Allansford), Zavier Mungean 49 (Brierly-Christ Church), Mark Murphy 3-20 and 26*, (Brierly-Christ Church), Pubudu Fernando 5-38 (East Warrnambool-YCW), Dustin Drew 4-15 (Dennington),  James Dalton 4-17 (Wesley-CBC), Daniel Ryan 4-30 (Allansford), Chris Cheslin 3-11 (Dennington).

James Cole 35 (Killarney), Stephen McGrath 51 (Purnim), Ben Howarth 30 (Purnim), Christo Rook 26 (Yambuk), Simon Schrama 25 (Panmure), Patrick Drake 24 (Woolsthorpe), Tim Bryce 29 and 3-8 (Panmure), Brayden Buchanan 4-14 (Killareny), James North 4-18 (Hawkesdale), Stuart Hill 3-13 (Killarney), David West 3-19 (Hawkesdale). 

Liam Geary 89 (Terang), Steven Fisher 83* (Camperdown), Simon Baker 43 (Bookaar), Shaun Moloney 42 (Bookaar), Dean Jones 34 (Cobden) (Tim Place 52* and 2-11 (Pomborneit), Lahiru Fernando 5-16 (Pomborneit), Jye McLaughlin 4-10 (Camperdown), Noah Ackerley 4-21 (Heytesbury Rebels), Todd Lamont 3-12 (Mortlake), Josh HIckey 3-24 (Cobden).

Port Fairy division two player Matthew Sheehan’s reputation as a bowler has skyrocketed after an amazing incident in the Pirates game against West Warrnambool on Saturday. 

Teammates describe Sheehan’s bowling as slow right-arm.

But that rating may have to be revised after Sheehan made a mess of veteran West Warrnambool opener Dean Hurford’s bat.

During an unbeaten 70 from Hurford, an effort which led to a 10-wicket win to the Panthers, Sheehan delivered a ball that broke Hurford’s bat in half. Hurford had played a classic cover drive but the bottom half of his bat went further than the ball. It was one of the few dot balls the Pirates managed for the day.

The importance of good catching and fielding is one pushed by cricket coaches at all levels. Last Sunday, Merrivale’s Hugh Fleming had a day out in the field while representing the Western Waves in the boys under competition in Horsham against Mallee. Fleming made 18 with the bat to help the Waves to 204, but it was his contribution in the field that had the most impact. The first three Mallee wickets fell to run outs by Fleming, who was patrolling the inner circle.  

Waves assistant coach Nick Butters said it was an impressive display.

“He’s a good fielder, very agile and quick over those first few steps,” Butters said.

“It set the tone, we ended up having five run outs.”  

There was some star power for South West Cricket Association club Pomborneit on Saturday. Western Bulldogs premiership captain Easton Wood played his first game for the Bulls since 2010. He made four not out in the win over Noorat.