Cricket
6 February, 2026
Stakes raised in two-day return
Numerous teams will be vying for a place in the finals or for a shot at redemption as the Horsham Cricket Association A-grade competition returns to two-day action in round 12 this Saturday February 7.
For Swifts-Great Western, it will be both as they have a chance at immediate redemption against the Colts at Dudley Cornell Park.
Down multiple players, the Combine lost to the Colts last Saturday by nine wickets.
Despite the disappointing result, SGW captain Aiden Graveson says the side can reverse the result this round.
“It was one of those days where no one could get anything right,” Graveson said.
“We had a few out but, in saying that, we still had a team in that could have won – just no one could make a run.
“We’ve moved on from it, put it behind us and I have 100 per cent confidence that we will win this game.”
Despite being equal on points, Donald Jeffcott displaced SGW in the top four on net run rate with just two rounds to play.
Graveson said his side hadn’t been at its best in recent games but he was optimistic about their finals chances.
“It would have been good to beat the Colts on the weekend and we probably should have beaten the Bullants the week before,” Graveson said.
“I still feel comfortable that we can get to finals if we just play our brand of cricket over the next few weeks.
“If we have everyone back, we’ve got a very good side.”
Another pivotal game takes place at Donald Recreation Reserve, where fourth-placed Donald Jeffcott host second-placed Laharum.
With just net run rate separating them and SGW, the home side will likely need a win to ensure they remain in the top four.
But since they defeated Laharum in round one, the Demons have been one of the form teams in the competition, and they will look to make amends for the early-season loss.
At Brim Recreation Reserve, Brim KSH will hope to back up last week’s win over the Bullants and pull off another upset, this time against competition leaders West Wimmera.
The Warriors handed the Eagles a 10-wicket defeat when the sides met in round six but the home side could pose a challenge if they can repeat last week’s batting performance.
At City Oval, the Bullants will be primed to secure their place in the finals as they meet the winless St Mary’s.
Lubeck Murtoa will be favoured as they host the Tigers at Murtoa Recreation Reserve but the Tigers have demonstrated in recent weeks that they are not a team to take lightly.
In B grade, the Tigers will look to solidify their spot in the top four when they take on Brim KSH at Dimboola Road Oval, the Horsham Saints hosts SGW in a top-of-the-table clash at Coughlin Park, West Wimmera take on the Rup-Minyip Panthers, the Bullants host Donald Jeffcott at Noradjuha Recreation Reserve, and Colts meet St Mary’s at Dudley Cornell Park.
In round 13 of the C grade one-day competition, Lubeck Murtoa host the Saints at Lubeck Recreation Reserve, Homers take on ladder leaders Swifts-Great Western at Sunnyside Recreation Reserve, Natimuk and Quantong play at Natimuk Showgrounds, Laharum host Rhymney Moyston at Cameron Oval, and the Tigers take on Halls Gap.