Cricket
4 March, 2026
McCurdy takes hat trick as Panthers dominate
The Rup-Minyip Panthers have finished the HCA B grade home-and-away season in first place after a comprehensive win over St Mary’s on Saturday February 28.
In a rain-affected finish to the 13th and final round of the season, the Colts and Bullants ended their season on a high note.
The games between West Wimmera and Swifts-Great Western, and Donald Jeffcott and Horsham Saints, were abandoned before day two play started.
At Minyip Recreation Reserve, the Panthers resumed day two at 5/237, having bowled St Mary’s out for 66 on day one.
Nicholas Hudson scored an unbeaten century (111 not out), well supported by Brent Hudson (45), before the Panthers declared at 6/310.
Travis Harris led St Mary’s with 2/35 while Nick Toscano had 1/30 from his six overs.
Brodie Dennes (32) and Matt Hartnett (19) got the St Mary’s innings off to a positive start to have the side at 2/62, before Scott McCurdy bowled each of Hartnett, Oscar Allot and Sailor Knorpp in consecutive deliveries to record a hat-trick and swing momentum in the Panthers’ favour.
Despite valiant efforts from Gary Fernandez (29) and Bruce Le Guier (6 not out) in the lower order, St Mary’s were eventually dismissed for 119, handing the Panthers victory by an innings and 125 runs.
McCurdy finished with 4/11 while Jake McKenzie (2/21) and Leigh Funcke (2/30) each had two wickets.
At Brim Recreation Reserve, Colts decided to declare at 6/82 before day two resumed, after bowling the Eagles out for 77 on day one.
In their second innings, Brim KSH made 112, led by 31 from Darren Marshman, 30 from Srikanth Reddy Kasaram and 19 from Trent Allen.
Drew Carmody starred for the Colts, taking 5/26, while skipper Beau Purchase backed up his five-wicket haul on day one with 2/23.
Despite the fall of two early wickets, Drew Carmody (61 not out) and Nathan Keel (36 not out) helped Colts reach 2/110 to secure the outright victory.
Barry Schilling took both wickets for the Eagles, finishing with 2/15.
At Noradjuha Recreation Reserve, the Tigers resumed day two at 1/12 after the Bullants totalled 177 in their first innings.
Despite some resistance from Brenton Hallam (16) in the middle order, the Tigers were bowled out for 85, giving the Bullants the first-innings win.
Heath Lang (4/20) and Kobi Lang (3/28) were the key bowlers for the Bullants while Jeremy Fischer took 2/14.