Sport
8 January, 2026
GCA involved in a thrilling tie at Country Week
The 2026 Central Highlands Region Three Country Week hasn’t gone the way Grampians Cricket Association (GCA) has wanted in terms of wins, but the players have enjoyed themselves against the best other leagues have to offer, with the highlight so far the under-15s involved in a thrilling tie at Gordon Street Recreation Reserve, Ararat, on Tuesday against Castlemaine.
After batting first, GCA were bowled out for 116 with Ethan Parker, Ned Jackson and Edward Astbury all batting well. Parker opened the batting and scored a patient 23 off 61 balls, Astbury top scored with 42 off 41, which included eight boundaries, and Jackson scored 13 off 23.
Their defence started well with Ned Jackson claiming three of the first five wickets as Castlemaine fell to 6/28. Castlemaine bounced back, and with scores tied, Archie Fraser took the wicket of Blackwood Ulman Jones, to bowl them out for 116 and tie the match.
Jackson finished with 4/12 (8), and Fraser finished with 2/11 (8).
On Monday, they lost to Gisborne by seven wickets at Central Park in Stawell. After batting first, they were bowled out for 90 with Ethan Parker top scoring with 20. Benjamin Brodie contributed a handy 11, and Jim Hewitt was excellent batting at number 11, scoring an unbeaten 12, which included three boundaries.
Gisborne chased the total down with ease, finishing at 3/91. Ned Jackson finished with 2/22 (6) and Max Tucker 1/2 (2) for GCA.
The under-13s opened their week against Ballarat White at North Park, Stawell, losing by 71 runs.
GCA won the toss and bowled, and Ballarat White were bowled out for 206. Billy King was the pick of the GCA bowlers with 3/31 (6). Rowly Tucker, 2/20 (5.4), Elijah Da Costa, 2/18 (5), and Ted Tucker, 2/32 (6), also took multiple wickets. Tom King was the other wicket taker, finishing with 1/40 (6).
In reply, GCA finished at 7/135 with Rowly Tucker scoring 41 off 53 balls, and Tom King hitting 40 off 86. Billy King contributed 15.
On Tuesday, against Greville at Linton Recreation Reserve, GCA lost to Grenville by 26 runs.
Bowling first, they restricted Greville to 9/129 off their 40 overs. Tom King, 2/24 (6), and Elijah Da Costa, 2/11 (6), were the pick of the bowlers. Rowly Tucker, 1/8 (6), Ted Tucker, 1/12 (3), Billy King, 1/18 (6), and Archie Harris, 1/6 (3) also took wickets.
GCA were then bowled out for 103 with Eden Croft top scoring with 21. Elijah Da Costa, 13, Archie Harris, 10, and an unbeaten 11 from William Jarrett were the other highlights for GCA.
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