Cricket
21 January, 2026
Top teams excel in return to action
The return of the Horsham Cricket Association B grade competition saw the Horsham Saints, the Tigers and Swifts-Great Western continue their strong starts to the season with wins in round nine on Saturday, January 17.
At Coughlin Park, the Saints elected to bat against West Wimmera, where they were bowled out for 191 in the 40th over.
Mark Crafter got the Saints off to a blazing start, hitting 13 boundaries on his way to 58, while Brock Hamerston hit 34 off just 21 balls late in the innings.
West Wimmera’s Glen Treverton led his side with an impressive performance of 4/24 from his eight overs, while Jack Dodds finished with 2/29.
Despite resistance from Jordan Gurry (27) and Trevor James (25), the Warriors were bowled out for 113 in their run chase.
Zachary Hamerston finished with an economical 3/8 in the Saints’ bowling performance, while Brock Hamerston (3/35) also had three wickets to help the side to a 78-run victory.
At Dimboola Road Oval, the Tigers elected to bat against the Rup-Minyip Panthers.
As five players scored 20 or more runs, led by 40 from Dale Dridan and 35 from Brenton Hallam, the Tigers reached 7/197 from 40 overs.
Leigh Funcke led the Panthers with the ball with figures of 3/23 from eight overs.
In response, impressive bowling from Dale Dridan (4/20) and Chris Eagle (3/19) saw the Tigers bowl out the Panthers for 103 to claim a 94-run win.
Panthers skipper Brent Hudson led the team with 36, while Hugh Weidemann had 24.
At Brim Recreation Reserve, SGW elected to bowl against Brim KSH.
In an extraordinary economical effort, which included 18 maidens from the Combine side, the Eagles were restricted to 8/47 from their 40 overs.
Sam Tickner top scored with 13 runs, while Joseph Martin (3/16), Alexander Bonner (2/2) and Emmanuel Kuriayan Joseph (2/11) each had multiple wickets.
Despite being in trouble at 3/7 early in their chase, Tom Fitzgerald (26 not out) and Craig Marrow (19 not out) helped see SGW to 3/49 to claim a seven-wicket win.
For the Eagles, Dale Stephan (2/7) and Connor McGinniss (1/18) claimed the early wickets.
At Noradjuha Recreation Reserve, the Colts won a tight contest over the Bullants.
The home side elected to bat and managed 7/165 from their 40 overs.
Heath Lang top scored with 63 not out for the Bullants, while Kent Hair (31) and Angus Slatter (28) provided valuable contributions.
Austin Simpson starred with the ball for the Colts, with figures of 4/28, while Drew Carmody had 1/27 from his eight overs.
In response, Carmody (35) got the Colts going early but consistent wickets had the visitors at 6/97 in the 25th over.
A crucial partnership between Brad Millar (44) and Ross Frew (33 not out) would help guide the side to 8/166 with eight balls to spare.
In the close loss, Chase Whelan (2/7), Mason Hair (2/17) and Heath Lang (2/21) all picked up two wickets for the Bullants.
At Anzac Park, St Mary’s elected to bat against Donald Jeffcott, where they were bowled out for 77.
Travis Harris top scored for Saint Mary’s with 18, while Cooper Preston (14) and Matt Hartnett (12) also reached double figures.
David Letts did most of the damage with the ball for Donald Jeffcott as he finished with 4/5, while Niluka Nanayakkara had 3/8 and Luca Rice had 2/19.
In response, Luca Rice (32), Chase Campbell (21) and Josh Gilmour (21 not out) guided the side to 3/80 to claim a seven-wicket win.
Jed Hartnett impressed with 1/2 in his solitary over.
