The next chapter in the evolution of Wimmera cricket is set to hit off on Saturday with the start of the 2024/25 Horsham Cricket Association season.

One of the oldest cricket teams in the district, having featured in eastern Wimmera and Mallee competitions since the late 1800s, the Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills has made the move from the Wimmera-Mallee Cricket Association to the Horsham competition for this season.

This move has been discussed within the club for several years, and the challenge of playing two-day matches is one of the factors driving the decision that will see them field two senior teams, although their juniors will remain in the Warracknabeal-based competition.

They will debut in their new competition on Saturday, when their A grade team will host the Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants at Brim, and their B grade team will travel to the Dimboola Road Oval in Horsham to take on the Horsham Tigers.

The Blackheath-Dimboola Bulls will only field one senior team this season, in the C grade, but their strong underage representation will continue with teams in the Under 16 Mixed, Under 14 Mixed, and Under12 Mixed divisions.

The senior’s season commences on Saturday when they host Laharum in a One Day Game, while the underage teams will take to the field for the first time this season the following weekend, with the Under 12 and Under 16s on a Friday evening and the Under 14s on Saturday morning.

The West Wimmera Warriors will once again enter senior teams in the A and C grades, along with a junior team in the Under 12 Mixed competition.

Their C Grade team will travel to Natimuk to take on the home team for their first hit out for the season, while the A Grade team will have another week off, with the bye in round one.

The Hindmarsh Derbies, featuring the Blackheath-Dimboola Bulls and West Wimmera Warriors in the C Grade, will take place in Round 4 at Dimboola on 2 November, Round 9 at Nhill on 7 December, and Round 14, also at Nhill on 8 February.

In the A grade, the Warriors will take on Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills for the first time on 9 November at Nhill.

Finals in all grades will be played in March next year.

Horsham Cricket Association – 2024/25 Season

A Grade (Nine Teams) –
  • Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills
  • Bullants
  • Colts
  • Homers
  • Horsham Saints
  • Laharum
  • Lubeck Murtoa
  • Tigers
  • West Wimmera
B Grade (Seven Teams) –
  • Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills
  • Bullants
  • Colts
  • Horsham Saints
  • Panthers
  • Quantong
  • Tigers
C Grade (Six Teams) –
  • Blackheath Dimboola
  • Laharum
  • Lubeck Murtoa
  • Natimuk
  • Tigers
  • West Wimmera