Sport
5 November, 2025
Lions suffer first loss of season
Swifts-Great Western Lions suffered their first loss in the Horsham Cricket Association A-Grade competition, falling to Laharum by 29 runs at Laharum, but it wasn't all bad news, with the B-Grade and C-Grade claiming strong wins in round three.
Laharum won the toss and elected to bat, and the Lions bowlers were strong early, claiming six wickets to have Laharum reeling at 6/51.
Ben Peucker came to the crease and, with help from Matthew Kerr and Joel Pymer, scored 70 runs off 51 balls to launch Laharum to a competitive total of 158.
Wil Clough was the pick of the Lions bowlers, claiming 3/24 (8), while Matthew Dean also bowled well, finishing with 2/22 (5).
The Lions started the chase well despite losing Max McMahon for 16. With the score 1/22, Aiden Graveson and Zachary Marrow put on a strong 59-run partnership before Graveson fell for 43, caught by Max Bunworth off the bowling of Josh Mahoney.
Marrow fell for 31 shortly after, caught by Joel Pymer off the bowling of Jason Kannar, and the score was 3/101, needing 58 runs for victory.
The Lions suffered a collapse, losing their next seven wickets for 28 runs, with Laharum claiming a strong victory thanks to Josh Mahoney, Jackson Hoffmann and Josh Hutchinson.
Rick Oliver led the way for the Lions in the B-Grade, scoring 79 runs in their easy defeat of Donald Jeffcott at Donald Recreation Reserve.
With help from Stewart MacPherson (42), the Lions made 5/203 off their 40 overs.
The Lions then bowled the homeside out for 121, with Ryder Sullivan starring with 4/28 (6.1). Jack Harney, 3/24 (6), and Stewart MacPherson, 2/34 (8), also bowled well.
At North Park, the C-Grade defeated the Horsham Saints by five wickets.
After winning the toss and bowling, they bowled the Saints out for 107. It was a team bowling effort with Jake Gebert claiming strong figures of 2/0 off three balls.
Darby Grinham led the way in reply, scoring 50 as the Lions chased the total down in the 25th over, finishing at 5/108.
On Saturday, the C-Grade hosts Laharum at Great Western, the B-Grade hosts Horsham Saints at North Park, and the A-Grade will look to bounce back when they host the dangerous Horsham Tigers at Central Park.
Read More: Stawell, Great Western