Cricket
13 January, 2025
HCA under-17s impress at Country Week
The Horsham Cricket Association under-17s cricketers impressed at Country Week, which was held at Warrnambool from Monday, January 6, to Friday, January 10.
They went through the group stage undefeated, with the highlight being a massive 10-wicket win over Warrnambool Blue on Tuesday, January 7.
After winning the toss and bowling, they bowled Warrnambool out for 123 with Oliver Potter the pick of the bowlers with 3/23 (5). Matthew Kerr also took multiple wickets, finishing with 2/12 (2.3).
In reply, the HCA chased the total down after 39 overs, with Luke Miller and Dezi Carter unbeaten on 74 and 41, respectively.
On Monday, the HCA had a 95-run win over Hamilton.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat, HCA made 193 from their 50 overs, with Jobe Dickinson top-scoring with 65. Jarvis Mitchell was also sensational with 50.
They bowled the Hurricanes out for 98 in the 41st over with Luke Miller, 3/8 (6.4) and Jack Combe, 3/15 (6), the stars with the ball.
On Wednesday, they won by 39 runs against the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association. After winning the toss and batting, they were bowled out for 142 in the 42nd over. Dezi Carter top-scored with an unbeaten 41.
They bowled WMCA out for 103 after 37 overs. Hugh Weidemann 3/14 (5) was the pick of the bowlers, but it was an all-round display with Jack Combe 2/7 (6), Luke Miller 2/10 (6), and Jobe Dickinson 2/15 (4) also taking multiple wickets with Matthew Kerr claiming 1/15 (6).
In the semi-final on Thursday against Warrnambool Gold, they were bowled out for 130, with the boys fighting hard.
In tough conditions, Dezi Carter made 58 and Jarvis Mitchell 27, while the other boys fought hard to keep their wickets.
Warrnambool Gold chased the total down in the 30th over, finishing with 2/131. Harrison Millar 1/22 (6) and Dezi Carter 1/14 (4) were the wicket-takers for the HCA.
On Friday, they played against Portland in their final match, a 20/20, and lost by 23 runs. Portland made 136 after batting first.
All HCA players bowled at least one over, with Oliver Potter, Jarvis Mitchell, Jaxon Crooks, Matthew Kerr, Harrison Hoffmann, Dezi Carter, Zac van Buuren and Jobe Dickinson claiming wickets.
In reply, the HCA finished at 6/113. Harrison Millar scored 46, and Jaxon Crooks scored 26, both opening the batting.
Dezi Carter was HCA's leading run-scorer, with 179 at an average of 89.5. Jaris Mitchell and Luke Mitchell both scored 85 each.
Luke Miller was the leading wicket-taker, with six wickets at an average of 9.33, and Jack Combe and Oliver Potter took five wickets.
Captain Dezi Carter said that while it was disappointing not to make the grand final, they had a good week.
"It was good fun to lead the team. They are a good group of boys," Carter said.
"It's disappointing going undefeated in the group stages and not getting the job done in the semi-finals, but we did all that we could and gave everything, and everyone put in 100%.
"I was pretty happy to be able to score runs. I wasn't scoring many in the leadup and worked hard in the nets, and spending time in the middle got me back into some form, ready for the resumption of the Horsham Cricket Association season this weekend."
Luke Miller enjoyed the week.
"It was disappointing not to make the grand final, but that's cricket, and it was a fun week with all the boys," Miller said.
"I am happy with how I have been bowling. It was also good to get 74 and help get the boys over the line against Warrnambool Blue, but overall, making a few more runs would have been nice."
Jack Combe stood out for the HCA with his bowling and was rewarded with five wickets. He was happy with the week.
"I'm pretty happy with how I have been bowling. Everyone chipped in a little bit, and it's been a team effort," Combe said.
"It was enjoyable to come to play somewhere other than Horsham and play on different wickets with all my mates.
"I was trying to put the ball on a good line and length and was patiently waiting for the batters to make a mistake."
Coach Peter Carter was ecstatic with the week.
"The boys have done well, and many of them are bottom-aged players, so next year, we will have a really strong team," Carter said.
"That ten-wicket win over Warrnambool Blue was an excellent result, and I think it took a toll on the younger boys as they came out a bit flat.
"All in all, we are happy with the week and how the boys represented the association."
"I was impressed with Jack Combe and Luke Miller with the ball. They got us off to super starts, keeping it tight with the ball swinging and moving the bit and letting the turf do the talking."
"Harry Millar bowled well without luck, and Dezi Carter had a good week with the bat."
