Cricket
15 December, 2025
Bullants, Combine, Warriors claim first-innings points
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.
The Bullants, Swifts-Great Western, and West Wimmera Warriors have already secured points, while other matches remain in the balance ahead of day two.
At City Oval, Lubeck Murtoa elected to bat against the Bullants, and after getting 20 runs on the board before the opening wicket, it was all the Bullants from there.
Matthew Combe (2/15), Tony Caccaviello (4/12) and Heath Lang (2/17) each found themselves on a hat-trick throughout the innings as they dismissed the Mudlarks for 69.
Joshua Hedt (25 not out) and Shannon Reddie (11) provided the most resistance for Lubeck Murtoa.
Shannon Reddie (2/21) momentarily had the Bullants in trouble with two early wickets before Jason Harris (52) and Matthew Combe (43) settled the innings and passed the Mudlarks’ first innings score.
Some big-hitting from youngster Phoenix Hopper (51 not out off 37 deliveries) and veteran Tony Caccaviello (31 off 17) saw the Bullants reach 6/209 before declaring.
In the final 10 overs of play, Lubeck Murtoa finished play at 4/20, with Matthew Combe (2/10) leading the second bowling effort for the Bullants.
The Mudlarks trail by 120 runs ahead of day two, with opener Aaron Leith currently on 18 not out.
Bullants skipper Tony Caccaviello was pleased to get six points after the opening day’s play.
“We had a really good day,” Caccaviello said.
“We wrapped up the six points today, which is great and are trying to go for the big 10 points.
“We bowled pretty well in the first innings, backed it up with some quick runs and had a quick dip with a second innings bowl at the end of the day.”
At Davis Park in Nhill, Donald Jeffcott elected to bat, but the Warriors had the visitors in immediate trouble at 3/0 in the third over.
With wickets falling consistently, a valiant 40 not out from Lachlan Jones helped Donald Jeffcott reach 81 before they were bowled out in the 40th over.
For the Warriors, Joshua Lees (2/9), Nathan Alexander (2/15), Xavier Bone (2/17) and Tim Braendler (2/17) each took two wickets.
In response, West Wimmera openers Brad Alexander (51 not out) and Mitchell Dahlenburg (35 not out) saw out the day, passing Donald Jeffcott’s total to claim first innings points and finish the day at 0/92.
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 Eagels 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.
At Sunnyside Recreation Reserve, the Tigers’ decision to bowl paid early dividends as David Puls took two wickets in the first over against Laharum.
But a knock of 72 from Chaminda Gamage and lower-order contributions from Harrison Hoffman (46) and skipper Josh Mahoney (46 not out) helped the Demons to 222 after being 7/121 earlier in the innings.
Archie Knight led the Tigers with 3/24, while David Puls (2/29), Joel Plazzer (2/32) and Grant Connelly (2/37) each took two wickets.
Jackson Hoffman then had the Tigers in immediate trouble with an opening over wicket, before two wickets in the final three overs of play saw the Tigers finish the day at 4/19, giving the Demons the edge heading into day two.
