Cricket
7 November, 2025
Leith, Knight produce early-season hat-tricks
Three hat-tricks have already been claimed in an astonishing start to the Horsham Cricket Association senior season, with Aaron Leith and Archie Knight both claiming individual hat-tricks.
In round two of the A grade competition, Lubeck Murtoa’s Aaron Leith got the first hat-trick of the season against West Wimmera, dismissing Brett Jensz, Bailey McQueen and Jeremy Weeks.
The hat-trick was a rare one, as Leith claimed the first two wickets at the end of one over before dismissing Jeremy Weeks on the first ball off his next over.
The Mudlarks’ player says he felt lucky to achieve the feat, thanking his teammates for taking the catches in all three of the wickets.
“Yeah, I was very surprised,” Leith said.
“I've got to say thanks to the boys for taking the catches and thanks for the captain for keeping me on.
“The third ball of that over, I reckon I wasn't going to get another over after it, so got a bit lucky, I suppose, but it feels really good.”
The following week against the Colts, Lubeck Murtoa got the final three wickets in successive balls.
Shannon Reddie got the wicket of Jake McLean before Joey Nagorcka was run out. Reddie then claimed the tenth wicket on the following delivery to complete a team hat-trick.
With two hat-tricks in successive weeks for the Mudlarks, Donald Jeffcott’s A grade side will be hoping to avoid a trifecta when the two sides meet in round four this Saturday at Donald Recreation Reserve.
Both sides have a 2-1 record after three rounds, with each team being defeated by West Wimmera in successive weeks.
A critical factor will be whether the Mudlarks’ can contain Donald Jeffcott’s batting line-up, who have scored at over five runs per over each innings while losing just 15 wickets across their three games.
At Anzac Park, both St Mary’s and the Colts will be playing for their first win of the season.
The home side will be looking for an improved effort after their nine-wicket defeat to Brim Kellalac Sheep Hills (Brim KSH) in round three, while the Colts will be eager to get their first points, having come close in losses to West Wimmera and Lubeck Murtoa.
At Brim Recreation Reserve, both Brim KSH and Laharum enter their clash having come off strong performances.
Brim KSH are currently 2-1 and Laharum are 1-2, but the Demons will be confident after defeating Swifts-Great Western, who in turn defeated Brim KSH in the opening round.
How the Demons fare against the Eagles’ bowlers will be pivotal, as the home side has bowled out the Colts and St Mary’s for scores of 64 or less in the past two rounds.
Swifts-Great Western will aim to return to the winner’s table when they host the Tigers at Central Park in Stawell.
The side suffered a batting collapse against the Demons, but has otherwise shown they are a team to watch out for after the victories in the opening two rounds.
After an impressive batting display in round one, the Tigers have struggled with both bat and ball and will be looking to put the pressure on the home side early to give themselves a chance on Saturday.
In arguably the match of the round, West Wimmera and the Bullants, the two remaining undefeated teams, go head-to-head at Davis Park in Nhill.
Both sides have a range of dangerous players who have stepped up at various moments to open the season, with the Warriors already demonstrating they are capable of pulling off challenging run chases, exemplified by reaching 211 to defeat Donald Jeffcott last round.
In addition to Leith’s individual hat-trick in A grade, Tigers youngster Archie Knight secured a hat-trick of his own against St Mary’s at Dimboola Road Oval in round three.
In the eighth over of St Mary’s innings, Knight bowled Travis Harris and Riley Adams with successive deliveries before trapping Cooper Preston leg before wicket.
The medium pacer ultimately finished with an outstanding 6/12 off seven overs to lead his side to a seven-wicket win.
Knight said the conditions helped provide extra movement, adding that he tried not to overthink the hat-trick ball, having been in the position previously.
“It was a bit windy when I was bowling, so the ball was moving a lot more than it usually does,” Knight said.
“I was just trying to bowl the last two balls on the stumps.
“I have been on a hat-trick previously, so I tried not to worry about it too much and hope for the best.”
Knight’s six-wicket performance comes two years after claiming a six-wicket debut in his first C-grade game.
The youngster will hope to continue his form when the Tigers host Brim KSH this Saturday.
In other B grade games, the Colts host St Mary’s at Dudley Cornell Park, the Rup-Minyip Panthers take on West Wimmera at Minyip Recreation Reserve, Swifts-Great Western host competition leaders the Horsham Saints at North Park in Stawell, and Donald Jeffcott meet the Bullants at Donald Recreation Reserve.
In C grade, Laharum will travel to Great Western Recreation Reserve to take on Swifts-Great Western, the Saints host Rhymney Moyston at Coughlin Park, competition leaders Halls Gap take on Homers at Halls Gap Recreation Reserve, Quantong host Blackheath Dimboola at Quantong Recreation Reserve, and Lubeck Murtoa meet the Tigers at Murtoa Recreation Reserve.
All senior games commence at 1pm on Saturday.