Cricket
3 February, 2026
Colts, Eagles produce upset wins
Round 11 of the Horsham Cricket Association A grade competition on Saturday January 31 saw multiple upsets as the Colts defeated fourth-placed Swifts-Great Western and Brim KSH defeated the second-placed Bullants in a high-scoring affair.
Playing at City Oval, the Eagles elected to bowl against the Bullants.
Openers Matthew Combe (86 off 88) and Justtin Combe (33 off 41) got the Bullants' innings off to a strong start before Troy Dumesny added 30 late in the innings to help the Bullants to 8/207 from their 40 overs.
Charlie Dean took some critical wickets late in the innings as hefinished with 4/41 while Fletcher Bright took 2/60.
In reply, a well-paced 89-run opening partnership between Sandon Schultz (43 off 55) and Leigh Dovaston (42 off 46) sparked the Eagles’ run chase before multiple wickets from Justtin Combe kept the game in the balance during the middle portion of the innings.
But a crucial knock of 50 off 54 deliveries from Isaac McPherson, well supported by Ethan Schilling (27 not out) and Lachlan McGinniss (21), helped the Eagles finish 5/209 and reach the target with under two overs remaining.
Justtin Combe finished with 3/34 while Jordan McDonald had 1/37 from his seven overs.
Isaac McPherson said it was a great win in what has been a challenging season for the team.
“It's a really good win for our boys,” McPherson said.
“It's been a tough season and to knock off a team like the Bullants shows that we are still amongst it, but we just haven't had some performances that we needed throughout the year."
Asked about his performance, McPherson credited his knock to the performance of the the side’s top and middle order.
“I've had a bit of a lean season, which has been disappointing, but to have the start with Dovo (Leigh Dovaston) and Sin (Sandon Schultz) going at almost a run a ball opening the batting, that helps a little bit,” McPherson said.
“Ethan at the end there, chipping in as well, he's been really, really good whenever he's come up to A grade, so that's been really beneficial.
“It's easier to make runs when others are making runs around you.”
At Central Park in Stawell, the Combine team elected to bat against the Colts but were in almost immediate trouble.
Logan Miller produced the opening two wickets before Jay Couch ripped through the home side’s middle order to have them 6/28.
Despite some resistance from Max McMahon (14), SGW were eventually bowled out for 67 in the 25th over.
For the Colts, Couch finished with 4/20, while Jake McLean had 3/8 and Logan Miller finished with 2/4 from four overs.
A knock of 43 not out from Dylan Arnott ensured the Colts a comfortable victory as they finished with 1/71, assisted by Jaxon Crooks (12) and Jay Couch (12 not out).
Sam Wells (1/19) took the solitary wicket for SGW in their nine-wicket loss.
At Murtoa Recreation Reserve, Laharum elected to bat against Lubeck Murtoa, where a 113-run partnership between Monty Wynne (70 from 57 balls) and Daniel Griffiths (50) laid the foundation for the Demons before some late-innings hitting from Josh Hutshinson (32 not out) and Harrison Hoffman (30) helped them reach 5/222.
In a tough day in the field for the Mudlarks, Jarvis Mitchell had 3/54 while Nic Ballagh finished with 1/23 from his six overs.
Despite an impressive knock of 61 off 57 balls from Seth Callaby, constant wickets prevented the Mudlarks threatening Laharum’s total.
Late-innings knocks from Xavier Shevlin (33) and Alby Kingston (15) helped Lubeck Murtoa reach 143 before being bowled out.
Chaminda Gamage (3/31), Jim McInnes (2/24) and Josh Hutchinson (2/32) had multiple wickets as Laharum won by 79 runs.
At Davis Park in Nhill, West Wimmera elected to bat against the Tigers.
An economical effort from the visitors with the ball restricted the Warriors early with the bat before Brad Alexander set the tone during the middle of the innings with 60.
Contributions from Nathan Alexander (31), Jeremy Weeks (26) and Brodie Cramer (25) allowed the home side to reach 6/164.
With the ball, both Codi Kenny (2/26) and Adam Carter (2/34) finished with two wickets apiece for the Tigers.
After being in trouble at 3/5 early in the innings, 30 runs each from Ricci Marks and Adam Carter, as well as 16 from Tyler Neville, kept the Tigers in reach before they were eventually bowled out for 128.
For the Warriors, Joshua Lees had an impressive 4/16 from eight overs while Nathan Alexander had 3/23 in the 36-run victory.
At Donald Recreation Reserve, St Mary’s elected to bat against Donald Jeffcott.
A half-century from Nathan Priest (56) got the visitors off to a sound start but St Mary’s were not able to capitalise on various batsmen getting starts as they were eventually bowled out for 125.
For Donald Jeffcott, Oscar Hier finished with 4/15 while Bronte Campbell (3/34) and Jack Landwehr (2/27) also had multiple wickets.
Following two early wickets, opener Dylan Ruurds (74 from 67 balls) and skipper Eddie Landwehr (34) combined for an unbeaten 103-run partnership to lead Donald Jeffcott to 2/129 and an eight-wicket victory.
Aiden Keys (1/11) and Jack Evans (1/23) were the wicket takers for St Mary’s.
