IF MORTLAKE can count on anything, it's a diverse bowling unit.
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The Cats' variety of options helped them ward off a hard-hitting Cobden on Saturday, but it wasn't without a scare.
Johno Bennalack's side came within five runs of Mortlake's 138-run total but couldn't get over the line thanks to late efforts from Lachie Wareham, Jack Lehmann and captain Todd Robertson.
Robertson said Mortake's batting total was "20 or 30" runs short of a par total.
"Cobden really showed last year that they're going to be a good, up-and-coming side," he told The Standard.
"They have some good, enthusiastic kids who really set the tone in the field.
"It makes it hard while you're batting. That got them off to a good start and their bowling attack managed to restrict us."
The need to prevent wickets falling in quick succession was among Robertson's biggest lessons from the match.
"You just can't afford to lose clumps. We still managed to come away with a win, thanks to our bowling," he said.
Our bowling is one of our strengths. Nearly every player in our team can bowl and we don't need to be able to rely on one individual.
- Todd Robertson
"Our bowling is one of our strengths. Nearly every player in our team can bowl and we don't need to be able to rely on one individual.
"But Cobden batted well. They came at us with a bit of aggression."
Robertson paid homage to Clint Baker - who blasted 54 runs to anchor Mortlake's innings - as well as cameos from wicketkeeper Jimmy Tarbolton (21 runs) and Nathan Jones (15).
Mortlake is set to battle Heytesbury Rebels in round two on Saturday.
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