Sport
16 January, 2025
'Everyone played their role': Combe rapt with young guns country week display
HCA finished third overall at annual carnival in Portland.
The Horsham Cricket Association's youngest players have showcased their talents at the annual country week carnival in Portland from January 13-15.
Under-13s coach Justtin Combe was over the moon with the performance as Horsham finished third with three wins and two losses.
"I'm absolutely rapt with the boys, one the effort they put in was amazing,"
"But to be so competitive against some pretty strong competitions speaks volumes for how the boys are going back here in our local league."
After the results were split on day one, Horsham was on the wrong side of a last-over thriller on January 14.
After winning the toss and batting against Warrnambool Moyne Blue, Horsham finished their innings 6/113 after an up-tempo 31 not-out of 20 balls from Judd Oakley and a run-a-ball 21 from Edward Schorback.
In reply, the HCA's total was passed seven wickets down as Horsham had six individual wicket-takers.
"The truth is that they're not far away [from the Warrnambool teams]. They've got a lot of talent themselves, and they have just got to believe that," Combe said
HCA then responded with a seven-wicket win against South West Gold.
Before they completed the carnival with a nine-wicket victory against Mount Gambier on January 15.
Oakley's performance across the carnival stood out to Combe.
He scored 93 runs in four innings, with a top score of 31 on two occasions. Oakley also took three wickets.
While Schorback was the pick of the bowlers for the HCA with six wickets.
"He was unbelievable down there; the three days he put in, he just dominated," Combe said of Oakley.
"Judd just changed most of the games."
Combe was also pleased with the performance of the whole squad.
"Everyone played their role, [each player] contributed at different stages through the five games," he said.
Players will now take their skills back to their clubs.
"They can work with their mates back at club land with the experiences and information they've gained from the country week and use that to their benefit," Combe said.
"I think there's only three kids that can remain out of the group this year.
"So, come this time next year, we're going to be looking for a lot of these younger kids to come up and take their spot next season."
Overall, Combe was happy with the association's performance of all three teams, as the under-15 and 17 teams competed from January 6-10.
"We're on the right path, but we've got a lot of work to do back home with our junior cricket," he said.
"We'll keep working at it and won't stop till we get it right, and even then we won't stop."