Cricket
18 February, 2026
Bullants dethrone Warriors as one-day premiers
The Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants are the 2025-26 Horsham Cricket Association A grade one-day premiers after winning a hard-fought final over West Wimmera on Sunday.
At City Oval the Bullants elected to bat first against the two-time defending champions.
After adjusting to the pace of the pitch in the early overs, openers Jason Harris and Matthew Combe quickly got on the front foot, combining for 63 before the latter was dismissed for 21.
Harris kept the Bullants’ run rate strong, continuing to pounce on loose deliveries before eventually falling for 87.
Justin Combe (25), Troy Dumesny (20) and Phoenix Hopper (17 not out) made contributions as the side finished the 40 overs at 8/206.
For the Warriors, Tim Braendler (2/19), Austin Merrett (2/29) and Jeremy Weeks (2/37) all took two wickets while Nathan Alexander (1/24) bowled some economical overs at the end of the innings to limit the Bullants' total.
Skipper Tony Caccaviello’s decision to open with Justtin Combe paid critical dividends, the spinner dismissing both Nathan and Brad Alexander early in the Warriors’ innings.
Mitchell Dahlenburg and Brodie Cramer (32) steadied West Wimmera’s innings but the Bullants managed to keep the required run rate high through the middle overs.
Brett Jensz (16) and Dahlenburg (65) gained momentum as the run chase heightened before both were dismissed.
The Warriors continued to lose wickets before eventually being dismissed for 172 in the final over, handing the Bullants a 34-run victory.
Justtin Combe was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/26 while Jordan McDonald (3/26) and Tony Caccaviello (2/40) also finished with multiple wickets.
Bullants captain Caccaviello praised man of the match Jason Harris for helping the side post a competitive total.
“Credit to Jason for his innings,” Caccaviello said.
“The rest of us were able to piece together some partnerships there to stick with him and add to the total.”
Asked about opening the bowling with Justtin Combe, Caccaviello acknowledged that the conditions, as well as the context of the game, influenced the decision.
“It looks like tactical genius when you pull it off but when it doesn’t come off it doesn’t look as good,” Caccaviello said.
“I thought the conditions might suit Jutta’s (Justtin) style of bowling there: a bit of a change-up and with a big total on the board.
“I think that really helped us.”
