Cricket
19 February, 2026
Demons overcome Donald Jeffcott
Laharum cemented their A-grade finals spot with a resilient victory over Donald Jeffcott in round 12 of the Horsham Cricket Association on Saturday February 14.
Also guaranteeing a spot in the top four with victories were West Wimmera and the Bullants.
Resuming play at Jeffcott Oval at 0/4 in chase of Donald Jeffcott’s 238, Laharum lost two early wickets to be 2/17 before Chaminda Gamage settled the innings for the visitors with a knock of 52.
Jackson Hoffman (58) and Harrison Hoffman then put on a critical 83-run fifth-wicket partnership to put them in good stead.
Despite losing wickets towards the end of play, Harrison Hoffman saw the Demons home with an unbeaten 63 as the side reached 7/243.
For Donald Jeffcott, Cooper Anderson finished with impressive figures of 4/61 and Jett Adams had 2/52.
Laharum skipper Josh Mahoney said he was happy with the finals-clinching performance.
“I’m proud of the boys,” Mahoney said.
“They stepped up when required with a few out and got the job done.”
At City Oval, the Bullants claimed a nine-wicket outright victory over St Mary’s.
The Warracknabeal-based side resumed day two on 3/51 in their second innings, where critical innings from Colby Schmidt (45) and Brodie Dennes (25) helped the side to 145, forcing the Bullants to bat a second time.
For the Bullants, Jack Combe starred late in the innings to finish with 3/25 and Angus Slatter had 2/27.
Needing just 28 for outright victory, the Bullants finished 1/29, led by 20 not out by Jack Wyeth, while Aiden Keys (1/12) took the solitary wicket for St Mary’s.
At Brim Recreation Reserve, first-placed West Wimmera resumed the day at 3/58 in pursuit of the Eagles’ 85.
The early dismissals of Nathan Alexander and Jeremy Weeks put pressure on the Warriors before Joshua Lees backed up his day one bowling performance with a patient 26 to help see the visitors pass the total before being bowled out for 147.
Bailey McQueen (14) and Xavier Bone (13) provided some runs in the lower order.
For Brim KSH, Sandon Schultz (3/10) picked up three late wickets while Charlie Dean (3/28) and Lachlan McGinniss (3/35) kept the game alive with their early wickets.
At Dudley Cornell Park, Swifts-Great Western resumed day two at 4/37 in pursuit of the Colts’ 150.
Mac McMahon (33) and Reece Kettle (25) helped steady the innings early before the Colts’ Josh Colbert dismantled the lower order, finishing with 5/31 to help bowl the visitors out for 111.
Jay Couch also impressed for the home side with figures of 2/14 from 11 overs.
The Colts then reached 5/101 in their second innings before play was called, as Colbert continued his great game with a knock of 45 not out.
For the Combine, Jayden McCartney led the way with 3/29.
After dismissing the Tigers for 136, Lubeck Murtoa resumed day two at 2/49.
After the dismissal of Josh Hedt (29), skipper Cameron Newell led the way with a measured knock of 56, supported by Xavier Shevlin, who finished with 19 not out, as the Mudlarks finished play at 5/137 to claim a first-innings victory.
For the Tigers, Tyler Puls finished with an economical 3/21 off 19 overs while Adam Carter had 2/32.