Cricket
14 January, 2026
HCA under 17s claim two wins
The Horsham Cricket Association’s under 17 team claimed two wins at the Warrnambool Country Week tournament, played between Monday January 5 and Friday January 9.
In their opening match, Colac made 229 in the first innings.
For HCA, Jack Combe led the way with 4/31, while Hugh Weidemann (2/33) and Jarvis Mitchell (2/42) each took two wickets.
In response, HCA were bowled out for 116, with Jack Combe (28) and Chase Whelan (15) being the top scorers.
HCA had Colac at 7/78 in their second innings before the game concluded, as Jake McKenzie (2/11), Albert Schorback (2/14) and Callum Jackson (2/17) all claimed two wickets.
In Tuesday’s clash against Warrnambool Moyne Blue, HCA bowled their opponents out for 163.
Harrison Hoffmann tore through Warrnambool’s middle order to finish with 4/34, while Jarvis Mitchell claimed 2/23.
Archie Sostheim had a great day in the field as he took two catches, contributed to two runouts and took a wicket.
In response, HCA scrapped home to finish their innings at 9/165.
A crucial 56 from Jack Combe set up the innings before a pivotal 12-run last-wicket partnership between Albert Schorback (17 not out) and Mason Hair (1 not out) helped HCA to secure their first win.
In Wednesday’s 20/20 clash, Mount Gambier scored 5/150, with Archie Sostheim (1/10), Jake McKenzie (1/18) and Hugh Weidemann (1/38) all taking single wickets.
HCA fell short in their innings, posting 5/115 to lose by 35 runs.
Hugh Weidemann top scored with 31, while Ryder Hudson made 30, hitting two sixes in his knock.
Later that day, HCA played another 20/20 against Portland, who made 7/93 batting first.
Wickets were shared among five bowlers, with Luke Weidemann (1/8), Chase Whelan (1/10) and Callum Jackson standing out with economical efforts.
Archie Sostheim had a fine innings behind the stumps, taking two catches and helping to finish off two runouts.
Despite 17 from Chase Whelan, HCA were in trouble at 7/42, before Hugh Weidemann (28 not out) and Callum Jackson (26 not out) got the side back into the game.
Needing one to tie and two to win off the last ball, Jackson hit a single, ending the game in a tie.
On Thursday, HCA claimed a 25-run win in their final game against South West.
Batting first, HCA scored 6/178 in 50 overs, as Albert Schorback (39) and Jack Combe (26) provided middle-order contributions before Jarvis Mitchell finished the innings with 31 not out from just 22 balls.
HCA then restrained South West to 8/153 as Hugh Weidemann (2/11), Jake McKenzie (2/12) and Mason Hair each took two wickets to help the side claim the win.
HCA finished sixth on the ladder out of nine teams at the conclusion of the tournament.
Jack Combe led HCA across the week with the bat, hitting 128 runs at an average of 32.
Harrison Hoffman was the leading bowler for HCA as he claimed six wickets at an average of 14.17.
Archie Sostheim had an impressive week behind the stumps and in the field as he claimed seven catches and a stumping and was involved in five runouts across the tournament.
Coach Justtin Combe said the week was a great experience for the team.
"The week went really well," Combe said.
"It was a great experience for all the boys to play against some stronger sides and different cricketers.
"We had a couple of really competitive games – we tied one and the game against Warrnambool we won on the last ball of the game so good to have a couple of nailbiters there."
Combe was proud of the effort and contributions of the whole team.
"Every kid performed throughout the tournament in some way, whetehr it was bowling, batting, or in the field."