Cricket
19 December, 2025
Games in the balance heading into day two
On an afternoon that favoured the bowlers, several teams claimed first-innings points on day one in round eight of the Horsham Cricket Association A grade competition.
At Central Park in Stawell, St Mary’s elected to bat against Swifts-Great Western.
Top order knocks from Colby Schmidt (42), Nicholas Germano (14) and Daniel Westerland (12) got the Saints off to a solid start, but middle and late order struggles saw the side bowled out for 79.
Zach Marrow led the way for the home side with figures of 4/13, while Jayden McCartney (3/12) and Sam Wells (2/19) also picked up numerous wickets.
A 77-run partnership from openers Ethan Marrow (41) and skipper Aiden Graveson (30) helped the Combine team pass St Mary’s total, with the side 3/114 at stumps.
Schmidt backed up his performance with the bat to finish the day at 1/17 from seven overs.
At Dudley Cornell Park, Brim KSH elected to bowl against the Colts.
Some disciplined early batting from Jaxon Crooks (19), Josh Colbert (14) and Kane Tutchell (20) helped the side to 3/63 before 22 late-order runs from Joey Nagorcka helped the side reach 102 after being in trouble at 7/67.
Jeremy Preston led the Eagles with figures of 4/28, while Fletcher Bright (2/13) and Royce Bennett (2/24) picked up two each in an all-around economical bowling effort from the visitors.
Facing 18 overs late in the day, the Eagles reached stumps at 2/45 with Sandon Schultz (14 not out) and Preston (10 not out) currently at the crease.
Nagorcka (1/5) and Jay Couch (1/14) took the wickets for the Colts.
In B Grade, At Anzac Park, the Tigers elected to bowl against St Mary’s, who were bowled out for 79.
Openers Callum Zanker (25) and Cooper Preston (19) top scored for the home side, while Amrit BK led the Tigers with four wickets.
In response, the Tigers claimed first innings points and reached stumps at 5/87, with Ash Wright leading the way with 33 runs, while Jake Evans currently leads the Saints with three wickets.
Playing against Brim KSH at Brim Recreation Reserve, the Bullants elected to bat, finishing the day’s play at 2/295 from 65 overs.
John Heard led the side with 120 not out, while Kent Hair (80) and Mason Hair (56 not out) made valuable half-centuries.
Connor McGinniss was a standout for the Eagles with the ball, finishing day one with 2/39 from an economical 18 overs.