Sport
28 February, 2024
Colts claim B-Grade premiership
The Colts won the B Grade one-day Horsham Cricket Association premiership with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over the Rup/Minyip Panthers at Coughlin Park on Sunday.
After losing the toss and being sent into bowl, they had the Panthers 2/20 early on with a great opening spell from James McNeil claiming the prized wickets of Connor Weidemann, 14, and Nicholas Hudson, 0.
Great bowling then had the Panthers in trouble at 4/33 and a massive rebuild was needed.
Daniel Schaper, 39, with contributions from Hugh Weidemann, 15, Brent Hudson, 10 and Jarvis Mitchell, 12 all tried to rebuild, but the bowling was too good, bowled out for 121 in the 39th over.
James McNeil, 2/20 and Josh Colbert, 2/22, were the pick of the bowlers.
In response, Connor Weidemann picked up the big wickets of Joshua McCluskey and Kevin Purchase for 9 and 10 respectively to have the Colts 2/21 but it was captain Josh Colbert that led the way with an unbeaten 66 with Jaxon Crooks, 16, and Dylan Arnott 12, all chipping in as they chased the total down in the 31st over.
Colts president Kevin Purchase said it was a big relief.
"This was a long time coming. I have been playing for 15 years with no success and to finally get success, it's a great feeling," he said.
"McNeil up front took big wickets for us and put us on the front foot straight away.
"Josh Colbert just keeps doing what he does week in and week out and played a superb captain's game."
When asked if it draws them confidence in the two-day format, where they currently sit on top on equal wins with the Panthers, Purchase said cricket is a funny game.
"It does give you confidence but at the end of the day, cricket is a funny game. Anything can happen on the day," he said.
"I expect them to bounce back hard and there's still work to do to make the grand final, but this win does take the pressure off and we are looking forward to giving it a crack over the next couple of weeks."