Cricket
17 October, 2025
St Mary’s ready to hit off in new look HCA
Warracknabeal-based St Mary’s Cricket Club are raring to go ahead of this week’s opening round of cricket action, where they will get their first taste of action in the Horsham Cricket Association.
Warracknabeal-based St Mary’s Cricket Club are raring to go ahead of this week’s opening round of cricket action, where they will get their first taste of action in the Horsham Cricket Association.
Club president Colby Schmidt believes the move from the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association to Horsham has invigorated interest within the club.
“It’s been really, really good moving over to the Horsham Cricket Association,” Schmidt said.
“I didn't think it was going to make people want to play cricket a lot more, but I think it 100 per cent has.
“Everyone sort of came down to train and embraced it straight away.
“We started training probably six weeks ago now.
“The numbers the first couple of weeks were probably 12 to 15, and now we've been getting 20 to 25 recently.
"It's been absolutely impressive."
The club will compete in both the A grade and B grade competitions, with Schmidt admitting the enthusiasm amongst the group means selection of teams will be difficult.
“Everyone wants to play A grade, so it makes it even harder to pick the B grade captain,” Schmidt said.
“It’s a good situation to be in, but it makes it hard for us.
“Nick Germano and Daniel Westerland will co-captain A grade for us after Daniel did it by himself last season.”
Regarding expectations for the club in the new association, Schmidt admits the main objectives are to be competitive and for the group to enjoy their cricket.
“The only goal we're going to have is probably just to win our first game,” Schmidt said. “Obviously, we want to play finals, and whether we're good enough or we're up to it, we will know in five months' time.
“There are no real goals, I don't think, except for trying not to embarrass ourselves out there and just keep enjoying our cricket.”
“Admittedly, we're not the most talented group of cricketers; there are better teams getting around.
“But clubwise, we all sort of get around each other really well, we're a pretty tight-knit group, so hopefully we can just keep carrying that on over."
Asked which players he expects to make a mark, Schmidt nominated co-captain Germano and Suni Manjuparambil, a newcomer to the club.
“Suni, he hasn’t played in town beforehand, but he’s one to watch out for because he'll be straight in the A grade,” Schmidt said.
“He's a handy bowler, and he can definitely hit the ball as well.
“Nick Germano is one to look forward to as well because he’s put his hand up to captain now, so I’m sure he’ll be putting pressure on himself as well to stand up and make big scores this year.”
Returning for their second season in the HCA is Brim Kellalac Sheep Hills.
The Eagles’ A grade side made a statement in their first season, reaching the semifinals.
Brim KSH president Leigh Dovaston believes the team can match last year’s level, but is wary of how the new sides may shake up the season.
"Hopefully, we can be similar to what we were last year, around that mark,” Dovaston said.
“We’re going to have a similar team.
“It is going to be a bit more interesting this year with the extra teams in there and the fact that only four make finals.
“So if you lose to a team you shouldn't, it's going to affect the draw a lot.
“It makes each game competitive, and you've got to really make sure you win the games you’re meant to win.”
Dovaston is excited at the prospect of Charlie Dean and Isaac McPherson taking on new roles this year, as well as numerous youngsters continuing to improve.
“Charlie Dean, he's going to be captain in our A grade this year, so it'll be good to see him take on the reins of captainancy,” Dovaston said.
"Hopefully, that can improve his game, as well as having to think things through and yeah, figure stuff out, so it would be good to see him have a go.
“Isaac's (McPherson) been our captain for six years, and is a good keeper, so it'll be good to see him not have the responsibility of captain there and allow him to concentrate more on his own game rather than the whole team himself.
“We've got a few younger kids that played a little bit in the B grade last year, so hopefully they get a full season of seniors into them and they see a bit of improvement.
"Guys like Oliver Holland, Bayden Jenkinson, and Jaiden Cooksley will get the chance to develop in seniors."
St Mary’s begin their season with a home one-dayer against the Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants at Anzac Park, while Brim-KSH host newcomers Swifts-Great Western at Brim Recreation Reserve.
Donald Jeffcott, another new side, will play away against Laharum.
The A grade competition consists of 13 rounds made up of nine one-dayers and four two-day matches.
