Cricket
2 December, 2025
Bowling dominates day one action
The first day of the Horsham Cricket Association’s round seven A grade action saw most sides dominate with the ball amidst some interesting weather challenges.
At Horsham City Oval, the Tigers won the toss and elected to bat against the Colts.
Callum Jackson (18) and Gavin Brown (27) helped the Tigers off to a solid start before impressive spells from Jay Couch and Joey Nagorcka saw the Colts rip through the middle order.
But some lower-order resistance from David Puls (35), Archie Knight (23) and Marty Knight (12) helped get the side to 162 before they were bowled out in the 57th over.
Nagorcka led the way with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/29, supported by Couch (3/53) and Alex Baker (2/34).
After an early dismissal, Dylan Arnott (13) and Jaxon Crooks (8 not out) looked to settle things for the Colts before three quick wickets, courtesy of Archie Knight (1/4) and David Puls (2/16), saw the Colts finish day one at 4/25.
Tigers captain Tyler Puls commended the efforts of David Puls and Archie Knight down the order to help the side post a solid score.
“We did have a pretty good start – one of the better starts we've had this season,” Puls said.
“Then we had a bit of a collapse, which is classic of us, but David Puls steadied the ship.
"Archie Knight batted well and Ando (Anderson Brown) got a run or two at the end, which was nice to see.”
Puls said he was happy with the side’s bowling effort to finish the day, giving them the advantage heading into day two.
“Having them 4/25 (was an) unreal start with the ball,” Puls said.
“I believe all the bowlers got a wicket, which was good, and then Gav Brown hung onto a couple of beauties in the slips, which was good to see.
“Hopefully we can keep going next week.”
After an early delay to play at Brim Recreation Reserve, Brim Kellalac Sheep Hills (Brim KSH) elected to bat against the Bullants.
The visitors got consistent top and middle-order wickets before Lachlan McGinniss (30) and Ethan Schilling (19 not out) lifted the Eagles to 105 as they were bowled out in the 48th over.
Opening bowlers Matthew Combe (3/25) and Tony Caccaviello (2/15) did most of the early damage for the Bullants, while Jordan McDonald (2/7) and Jack Combe (2/9) each claimed two wickets.
The home side quickly contained the Bullants with economical bowling and regular breakthroughs, leaving the Bullants at 5/28 at stumps of day one.
Justtin Combe (12) is the leading scorer so far, while Lachlan McGinniss and Tim Bell impressed with the ball, finishing the day with figures of 2/3 and 2/9, respectively.
At Jeffcott Oval, Donald Jeffcott elected to bowl against St Mary’s.
Skipper Nicholas Germano led the visitors with 64, and despite middle-order contributions from Lincoln Westerland (17) and Jacob Thomas (13), Donald Jeffcott bowled St Mary’s out for 113 in the 53rd over.
Nicholas Atkins led the way with the ball with figures of 4/23, well supported by Eddie Landwehr (3/19) and Cooper Anderson (2/33).
Despite Brodie Dennes capturing the wicket of Jake Needs, Donald Jeffcott had an otherwise seamless start with the bat as they finished the day on 1/86, just 19 runs shy of St Mary’s first innings total.
Cooper Anderson is sitting on 63 not out while Dylan Ruurds is currently on 19 not out.
At Sunnyside Recreation Reserve, Laharum won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lubeck Murtoa.
The decision proved fruitful early as the Demons had the Mudlarks reeling at 4/22.
Skipper Cameron Newell (21) and Joshua Hedt (20) briefly settled things before a pivotal spell from Chaminda Gamage swung the momentum back Laharum’s way.
Xavier Shevlin (16) added some lower-order runs before the Demons bowled Lubeck Murtoa out for 91 in the 47th over.
Jackson Hoffman finished with figures of 5/22 in the Demons’ bowling effort, while Gamage’s spell saw him finish with 4/16.
Despite some starts from Max Bunworth (12) and Monty Wynne (10), the Mudlarks had the Demons in trouble at 5/41 before some late-day resistance from Jason Kannar (18 not out) and Matthew Kerr (3 not out) saw the Demons finish at 5/61, with the game firmly in the balance heading into day two next Saturday.
Blake Turner and Cameron Newell each finished the day with bowling figures of 2/19.
The opening day of action between Swifts-Great Western and West Wimmera did not commence.
