Cricket
14 January, 2025
HCA under-15s have enjoyable week
The Horsham Cricket Association's under-15 cricketers enjoyed Country Week, held at Horsham from January 6 to January 10. They won one game and went close on other occasions.
The HCA started their week on Monday against Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association, where they easily won by 73 runs in a 20/20 match.
After winning the toss and batting, HCA scored 6/144, with Callum Jackson top scoring 46 and Phoenix Hopper and Hugh Miller chipping in with 23 and an unbeaten 24, respectively.
They restricted WMCA to 6/71, with Archie Knight starring with the ball, claiming 4/14 (4).
On Tuesday against the Hamilton Hurricanes, HCA won the toss, batted, and was bowled out for 105 in the 38th over. Albert Schorback top scored with 42, while Chase Kannar contributed 25.
The Hurricanes quickly chased the score down, winning in the 24th over with the loss of one wicket, finishing on 1/108. Dane Paech was the wicket-taker for Horsham.
On Wednesday, HCA won the toss against Warrnambool Gold and sent them into bat. They scored 6/198 from their 50 overs.
Albert Schorback 1/14 (2), Phoenix Hopper 1/29 (8), Anderson Brown 1/17 (6), Max Spokes 1/13 (5), Archie Knight 1/20 (7) and Hugh Miller 1/34 (10) were the wicket-takers for HCA.
HCA could only manage 98 runs in reply, with Chase Kannar and Callum Jackson leading the way with 36 and 25, respectively.
On Thursday against Mount Gambier, after winning the toss and batting, HCA were bowled out for 102 in the 45th over. Phoenix Hopper top scored with 32, and the consistent Callum Jackson scored 19.
In reply, Mt Gambier were bowled out for 142. Hugh Miller 3/24 (8) and Callum Jackson 3/11 (2.4) led the way with the ball for HCA. Henry Walsgott also did well, taking 2/8 (2).
In the final match on Friday, a 20/20, HCA lost by four runs against Warrnambool Blue.
After winning the toss and bowling, they restricted them to 7/119. Dane Paech and Archie Knight were the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/16 (3).
Phoenix Hopper starred with the bat, scoring 61 off 63, and despite Chase Kannar scoring 22 and good contributions from other players, they fell short, finishing at 5/115.
Phoenix Hopper top scored with 116 runs at an average of 23.2 for HCA. Callum Jackson scored 99, and Chase Kannar scored 84.
Archie Knight led the way with the ball, claiming seven wickets at an average of 10.57. Dane Paech took five wickets, and Hugh Miller took four.
It was Knight's first year in the under-15s, having played the under-13s last year, and he enjoyed it.
"Last week was pretty fun even though we didn't win many games, as I was playing with my friends," Knight said.
"I was a bit surprised with how I bowled, and I tried to put it on a line and length and put some inswing on it because I am good at doing that.
"I enjoy cricket because you get a go every time you play."
In the match against the WMCA, Knight was on a hat-trick in the 10th over of the game. Even though he didn't get the hat-trick, it was a sensational over where he picked up three wickets.
Knight spoke about the moment.
"Usually, when I am on a hat-trick, I bowl wide because I get nervous," Knight said.
"This time, I was able to put it on the fifth stump line, which was good."
