Cricket
31 January, 2026
Eye on finals with three rounds to go
Three rounds of the Horsham Cricket Association A grade competition remain to be played, with many teams fighting for ladder positions ahead of round 11 this Saturday January 31.
While West Wimmera and the Bullants have secured their one-day grand final spots, five teams are in the running for the all-important two-day semi-final spots.
After usurping Laharum at the top of the table last round, the Warriors lead the competition with 54 points, closely followed by the Bullants and Laharum with 52 and 50 points, respectively.
Swifts-Great Western are currently fourth with 46 points, while Donald Jeffcott are fifth with 40 points.
Speaking after last week’s win over Brim KSH, Donald Jeffcott skipper Eddie Landwehr said the team would need to be at their best in the last few rounds to feature in the finals.
“We can't afford to let anything slip; we’ve got to take all our chances now,” Landwehr said.
“As long as we keep stepping it up from here, hopefully we do sneak into and feature in the finals.”
Donald Jeffcott will be favoured on Saturday as they host the winless St Mary’s at Donald Recreation Reserve.
Swifts-Great Western will hope to redeem themselves against the Colts at Stawell’s Central Park after suffering a thrilling defeat to the Bullants in round 10.
Although the Colts are out of the finals race, the Horsham side have consistently challenged their opponents.
But the visitors will need to strike early when the Combine side bats, boasting one of the best top orders in the competition.
Lubeck Murtoa are unlikely to feature in the finals but have the potential to upset Laharum. The Mudlarks lost to the Demons in the previous fixture between the two sides on a bowling-friendly wicket but have produced impressive wins since they returned from the Christmas break.
With games against Donald Jeffcott and the Colts to follow, the pressure will be on the Demons to further solidify their position near the top of the ladder.
At Horsham City Oval, the Bullants meet Brim KSH, who are coming off three straight losses.
Hurting the Eagles has been their struggles with the bat, demonstrated by the side failing to surpass 100 since they played the Bullants in round seven.
But having beaten the second-placed side in that match, the Eagles will go in knowing that an improved batting performance will give them a chance.
At Davis Park, West Wimmera will look to continue their dominant season against the Tigers.
The visitors are long odds against the Warriors, but if they can replicate last week’s performance against the Colts they could challenge the league leaders.
In B grade this Saturday, the Colts host SGW at Dudley Cornell Park, Donald Jeffcott travel to Dimboola Road Oval to take on the Tigers, the Bullants meet the second-placed Panthers, the Horsham Saints go up against Brim KSH at Brim Recreation Reserve and St Mary’s host West Wimmera at Anzac Park.
In C grade, Homers play Laharum at Sunnyside Recreation Reserve, Horsham Saints host Quantong at Coughlin Park, the Tigers meet SGW at Quantong Recreation Reserve, Halls Gap travel to play old rivals Rhymney Moyston and Lubeck Murtoa host Blackheath Dimboola.