Cricket
17 February, 2025
Demons secure outright win to keep finals hopes alive
Laharum secured an outright win against the Colts in round 12 of the Horsham Cricket Association season, keeping their finals hopes alive and moving to fourth on the ladder, ensuring a thrilling end to the home and away season with the final round next week.
After starting the day at 5/53, Joel Pymer and Josh Mahoney finished the innings quickly, bowling the Colts out for 69. Mahoney finished with figures of 6/44 (16), while Pymer took 3/1 (3.2).
Joey Nagorcka top-scored with an unbeaten 19 for the Colts.
Needing 10 wickets in 64 overs, Laharum started well, taking the first two wickets early to have the Colts 2/35.
The Colts were more attacking and troubled the Demons bowlers. Joey Nagorcka scored 32, Logan Millar 59, and Jaxon Crooks 25, all batting well to try and survive.
The Demons' bowlers, however, persisted and, in the 63rd over, bowled the Colts out for 169.
All six bowlers took wickets, with Joel Pymer 2/16 (13.2), Jackson Hoffmann 2/16 (9), and Connor Cowan 2/19 (8), the multiple wicket-takers.
Laharum captain Josh Mahoney told his troops to stick to the process before the Colts' second innings.
"With 64 overs, we had to stick to our process and go from there," Mahoney said.
"We had some plans for some of the batsmen, and they fought hard in that second innings, playing for pride.
"It was tough condition with the wind, and we knew that a run of two or three wickets could do some damage, and we stuck to the processes, and it paid off."
At the Noradjuha Recreation Reserve, the Bullants declared at 3/161 with a lead of 68 runs against the Homers.
Austin Smith scored 51 for the Bullants, while Phoenix Hopper was the pick of the Homers bowlers with 2/55 (5).
The Homers batted well in their second innings, with Adam Atwood and Hugh Dougherty ensuring they wouldn't lose outright. They scored an unbeaten 60 and 36, respectively, and the Homers made 0/98.
At Coughlin Park, the Saints resumed their attempt to chase down 271 against the West Wimmera Warriors. Nathan Alexander, however, had other ideas, with a sensational match, taking 8/37 (21.5), as they bowled them out for 113 in the 61st over.
Gary Davidson scored 51 (151) for the Saints, but the day belonged to Alexander.
At the Murtoa Recreation Reserve, the Tigers got the points against Lubeck Murtoa, bowling them out for 91 in the 44th over, scoring 203 on day one.
Dom Rose did the damage with the ball for the Tigers, taking 4/18 (10), while Blake Downer and Dylan Eats scored 18 for the Mudlarks.
The Tigers then batted out the day, scoring 6/106 with Angus Adams, the star, unbeaten on 42. Dylan Eats 2/3 (2) and Shannon Reddie 2/19 (5) were the best bowlers for the Mudlarks.
With one round to go, the top three are set, and the Bullants need the points against BrimKSH to make the finals.
MUDLARKS BOUNCE BACK
Lubeck Murtoa bounced back from their shock loss to Natimuk last week, defeating West Wimmera by 32 runs at Lubeck Recreation Reserve in round 15 of the HCA C-grade season.
The Mudlarks won the toss and elected to bat, and through an even contribution, were able to score 9/202. Seth Callaby top-scored with 36, while Sid Kingston, 20, Oscar Gawith, 22, Wilkie Hudson, 29, and Archie McQueen, 23, also contributed.
Tim Braendler was the pick of the Warriors bowlers, taking 3/21 (7).
In reply, despite 51 from James Crowhurst and solid contributions from Ashley Dickinson, 27, and Patrick Rogers, 26, the Mudlarks restricted the Warriors to 7/170.
Darren Schultz was the pick of the bowlers for the Mudlarks, starring with 4/20 (7).
At Quantong Recreation Reserve, Laharum defeated the Horsham Tigers by four wickets.
After winning the toss and batting, the Tigers made 8/126, with Simon Anstis top-scoring with 26. Lewis Hofmaier took 3/20 (5) for Laharum.
Laharum chased the total down in the 35th over, finishing 6/127, thanks mainly to an unbeaten 48 from Tristan March.
Gagan Sidhu was the pick of the Tigers bowlers with 1/7 (3).
At Natimuk Recreation Reserve, the Homers defeated Natimuk by 41 runs.
After winning the toss and sending the Homers into the bowl, the Rams restricted them to 8/143 with Tom Murray as the star for the Rams, taking 3/39 (5).
Bayley Burke hit 50 (23) for the Homers, which included five sixes and three fours.
In reply, the Homers bowled Natimuk out for 102 in the 29th over with Tim Hopper, 3/14 (7), and Finn Arnel, 3/14 (4.3), the match-winners with the ball.
Sam Peachey top-scored for the Rams with 26, and Murray had a good all-round performance following his three wickets by scoring 20.
