Cricket
24 February, 2025
Bullants on brink of finals berth
The Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants are on the brink of a finals berth following a solid first day in their two-day match against Brim Kellalac Sheep Hills at Horsham City Oval on Saturday.
Needing the points to leapfrog Laharum, the Bullants won the toss, batted and made a steady start through Justtin Combe 28 and Matthew Combe 38. Once Tim Bell and Lachlan McGinniss dismissed both, the Bullants stumbled, and despite some resistance from Jack Combe with nine runs, Jordan McDonald, 16, and Shane Oakley, 23, they were bowled out for 137 in the 58th over.
McGinniss 2/29, Bell 2/9 and Charlie Dean 2/20 were the standout bowlers for BKSH.
In reply, the Bullants ripped through the Eagles' top order through Matthew Combe 2/12 and Austin Smith 2/11. At stumps, the Eagles are at 5/27, requiring another 111 runs to take the points.
Isaac McPherson is unbeaten on six, and Lachlan McGinniss is unbeaten at zero.
At Murtoa Recreation Reserve, the Horsham Saints scored their best score of the year thanks to a brilliant Dezi Carter century, finishing the day at 9/277.
Carter was brilliant on his way to a century, ending up on 133 off 200 balls with ten fours and three sixes. Gary Davidson, 39 (75), and Brock Hamerston, 46 (39), assisted him well.
Nic Ballagh was the pick of the Mudlarks bowlers with figures of 2/51 (17). Due to the heat and the brilliance of Carter, the Mudlarks used 10 of their 11 players to bowl.
The West Wimmera Warriors are in the box seat against the Colts at Dudley Cornell Park, thanks to a Liam Preston century. Preston hit 117 off 165 balls with 14 fours and two sixes as the Warriors were bowled out for 280 in the 65th over.
Brodie Cramer was also solid for the Warriors with an impressive 75 off 100 balls.
Liam James was the pick of the Colts bowlers with 4/19 (5.1).
In reply, the Colts finished the day on 1/14 off seven overs, with Dylan Arnott and Jaxon Crooks unbeaten on eight and two, respectively. Fresh off an eight-wicket performance last week, Nathan Alexander has the only wicket, bowling Joey Nagorcka for a duck.
The Homers are in the box seat to finish second on the ladder with a brilliant performance on day one.
After losing the toss and bowling, they bowled the Tigers out for 117 in the 38th over with the spin of Adam Atwood 3/39 and Chaminda Gamage 3/7 doing the damage.
Haydn Smith top-scored for the Tigers with 29.
In reply, the Homers are 3/96 after 34 overs, with Patrick Mills unbeaten on 61 and Baxter Perry unbeaten on five.
Dom Rose, Tyler Puls and David Puls are the wicket-takers for the Tigers.
SEVENTEEN WICKETS FALL AT BRIM
Seventeen wickets fell on day one of the two-day match between Brim Kellalac Sheep Hills and Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants at the Brim Recreation Reserve in round 12 of the HCA B-grade season.
After winning the toss and batting, the Eagles were bowled out for 85 in the 41st over, with Justin Watson, the star in his second game for the club, scoring 33 off 53 balls.
Trent Allan, 12, and Jack Hadley, 16, were the other players to score in double figures for the Eagles in an innings that included four ducks.
Heath Lang, 4/14 (9), did the damage with the ball for the Bulls.
In reply, the Eagles have the Bullants reeling at 7/52 at the end of 23 overs. Kent Hair made 15, Tom Hair on nine, and Angus Slatter on 12 are unbeaten at the crease.
Connor McGinniss was the Eagles' star, scoring 5/19 (9), while Dale Stephan scored 2/11 (6).
Quantong scored the highest score of the day in B-grade, bowled out for 204 at Quantong Recreation Reserve against the Tigers.
After winning the toss and batting, Quantong scored the competitive total through Zac Walter, 62, Jack Vague, 52, and Andrew Vague, 27.
Janith Herath 3/11, Chris Eagle 3/23, and Cody Stewart 3/27 were all impressive for the Tigers.
At the end of day one, the Tigers are 1/60 off 12 overs, with Callum Jackson and Janith Herath unbeaten on 13 and zero, respectively, after Chris Eagle made 45 before Muzz Wilson bowled him.
At Coughlin Park, the Saints have it all to do, sitting on 0/2 after bowling the Colts out for 195 in 61 overs.
Nathan Keel stood out for the Colts, scoring an impressive 83 off 163 balls, while Alex Baker, 29 and James McNeil, 22, supported him well.
Daniel Bell was the pick of the Saints bowlers with figures of 3/21 (9).
MUDLARKS REMAIN ON TOP
Lubeck Murtoa remains one game clear of Laharum in the HCA C-grade competition with a thrilling seven-run win over the Homers at Lubeck Recreation Reserve.
After winning the toss and batting, the Mudlarks made 7/170, with Drew Gellatly top-scoring with an unbeaten 29. Logan Petering, 27, and Oliver Garth Lindsay, 25, also contributed well.
Jazz Hopper, 3/11, was the pick of the Homers bowling.
In reply, the Homers were cruising along at 1/114 before Henry Walsgott was caught by Wilkie Hudson off the bowling of Tom Eade for seven.
Matt Arnel fell for 28 not long after, and the Homers found themselves 3/118. Despite Darren McCann scoring 17 and Tim Hopper unbeaten on 23, the Mudlarks bowlers were too strong, holding them at bay with the Homers finishing at 5/163. Terry Arnel top-scored with 50 before he retired, not out.
Oliver Garth Lindsay was the pick of the bowlers for the Mudlarks with 2/21 (5).
It was a similar story at Dimboola Road Oval, with the West Wimmera Warriors defeating the Tigers by 20 runs.
After winning the toss and sending the Warriors into bat, the Tigers bowled them out for 190, with Harvey Brown 3/7, Joel Plazzer 2/26, and Clayton Brown 2/31 doing the damage.
Greg Trenery top-scored for the Warriors with 37, while Shane Kessler and Ashley Dickinson both scored 25.
In reply, the Tigers fell short, scoring 6/170. Gagan Sidhu scored 42, while Lachlan Baker also contributed 32.
Cooper Gebert 2/28 was the pick of the Warriors bowlers, while Kessler took 2/12, adding to his score of 25.
At Natimuk Recreation Reserve, Laharum defeated the Natimuk by 35 runs.
After winning the toss and batting, Laharum made 7/131 with Spencer Weir as the top scorer, with an unbeaten 42 off 79 balls.
In reply, regular wickets by the Demons kept the Rams at Bay, with the Rams bowled out for 96. Spencer Weir 2/5, Leiws Hofmaier 2/12 and Daryl Scollary 2/1 were the multiple wicket-takers for Laharum.
Lachlan Hutchinson and Sam Peachey batted well for Natimuk, scoring 24 and 21, respectively.
