Sport
21 February, 2024
West Wimmera make statement
West Wimmera Warriors made a huge statement whilst Laharum secured their best win in A-Grade to conclude round 11 of the Horsham Cricket Association.
At Noradjuha Recreation Reserve, Laharum defeated Bullants by 16 runs. After posting 195 on day one, and the Bullants batting attack at full strength, they needed early wickets and they did just that.
After getting off to a fast start to their innings, some great bowling from Jackson Hoffmann and Josh Mahoney had the Bullants 3/49 with prized wickets Justtin Combe and Shane Oakley back in the shed.
Matthew Combe, 55 and Troy Dumesny, 44, tried to get the Bullants home but some great bowling from Laharum got them the win - their first this season over an A-Grade side from last season.
Joshua Mahoney finished with 5/26 with Jackson Hoffmann, 2/37 and Daniel Griffiths, 2/26 chipping in alongside Max Bunworth's tight bowling of 1/23 off nine overs.
Laharum captain Daniel Griffiths said it was good for the young players.
"It was good to get a win and it's good for the younger players on the team to get confidence into next season and it's certainly one we didn't expect," Griffiths said.
"We have been close a couple of times and being the first time we beat a previous A-Grade side, it shows the youngsters they can compete.
"Jackson Hoffmann had a great game. His first spell was brilliant and he put the pressure on after they got off to a flyer. He bowled good line and length and created chances."
At Davis Park, West Wimmera made a massive statement, annihilating Homers. After posting 244 on day one, they cleaned up the Homers to bowl them out for 69. Adam Atwood, 20, and Oliver Potter, 15* were the bright sparks in the batting performance. Nathan Alexander, 6/34 was sensational for the Warriors.
Having lost already, and an outright defeat possible, the match finished with the Homers battling it out to finish at 0/70 with Atwood and Patrick Mills unbeaten on 52 and 19 respectively.
For the second consecutive round, Blackheath Dimboola has fought hard to avoid outright defeat in their two-day match against the Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park in round 11 of the Horsham Cricket Association.
Starting day two on the back foot, having been bowled out for 135 and the Saints on 2/59, early wickets were needed. Sam Polack got the big wicket of Dezi Carter with a great catch off his bowling and the Bulls had their heads up.
Gary Davidson, however, had other ideas and with partnerships from Rob Kirkwood and Ben Sawyer, he guided the Saints to a total of 225. Davidson made 129.
Sam Leith, 2/35 and Daniel Polack, 2/46 were the pick of the bowlers for the Bulls. Lilly Schorback came up from C-Grade and as their leading wicket-taker, she finished with 1/19 off three.
With a deficit of 90 runs and the match already lost, they had 37 overs to avoid outright defeat. Sam Polack with an unbeaten 52, aided by Sam Leith, 33, and Daniel Polack, 30, helped guide them to 8/135. Alex Rees, 3/44 and Brody Devlin, 3/19 were the Saints' best bowlers.
Bulls captain Sam Leith said they did well to fight.
"It's never ideal trying to play to avoid an outright. We had younger players put their hand up and they competed and did well," Leith said.
"Everyone that showed up, we wanted them to get involved in any way possible.
"Edward Schorback as a 10-year-old was close to getting a wicket and is a player to watch over the next few years and Lilly Schorback bowled well."
At Horsham City Oval, Lubeck Murtoa gave themselves a chance to beat the Tigers, but the Tigers were too good.
After being bowled out for 118 on the first day, Lubeck Murtoa was on the back foot and the Tigers declared at 221, a lead of 103. Brenton Hallam, 96 and Levi Mock with an unbeaten 41 were the best batters for the Tigers whilst Blake Turner finished with 4/61.
The Mudlarks through Shannon Reddie, 69, Oscar Gawith, 50, and an unbeaten 53 to Xavier Shevlin declared at 8/233, with a lead of 130 runs. Tyler Puls was the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers with 3/49.
With 20 overs to try to bowl the Tigers out, it was a tall order and the Tigers finished with 4/124 with Dom Rose, 43 and Aaron Leith, 41 the best for the Tigers. Oliver Garth Lindsay finished with 2/20 for the Mudlarks.
TWIN CENTURIES AT MINYIP
Connor Weidemann's unbeaten 105 has powered the Panthers to a 50-run win over West Wimmera at Minyip Recreation Reserve in round 11 of the Horsham Cricket Association B-Grade competition.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Weidemann with good support from Clinton Midgley, 58 and Wilson Mitchell, 40, stormed to 3/248 off 40 overs.
In reply, a century to Jordan Gurry wasn't enough for the Warriors as they finished at 8/198. Gurry scored 109 and picked up a wicket on a rare day where two centuries were scored.
The Panther's best bowler was Gaving Young returning figures of 4/32. Leigh Funcke took 3/31 and Weidemann also picked up a wicket to go along with his century.
Weidemann said it was tough.
"It was pretty hot out there and I tried to dig in and focus," Weidemann said.
"In the final overs, I wasn't focused on it. I just wanted us to score runs.
"It was good to get a century, the second of my career. It's probably the best feeling in cricket scoring a century."
At Dudley Cornell Park, four wickets to Fred Frew helped the Colts to a four-wicket win over the Tigers. He took 4/18 off six overs as they bowled the Tigers out for 104. Luke Sonego scored 29 for the Tigers.
Kevin Purchase top scored for the Colts with 27 as they chased the total down in the 23rd oval with four wickets to spare.
Quantong had a comfortable 103-run win over the Bullants at Quantong Recreation Reserve. After losing the toss and being sent into bat they made 6/196 with Tim Brand leading the way with 68 and Peter Brand remaining unbeaten on 45.
In reply, they bowled the Bullants out for 93 in the 34th over with James Hallett the pick of the bowlers with 3/17.
Round 12 tomorrow features the last two-day game of the season. Cellar dwellers Bullants and Tigers face off at Noradjuha Recreation Reserve which will have no bearing on the finals.
The other two matchups will.
Ladder leaders Colts play fourth-placed West Wimmera at Davis Park and second-placed Panthers play fifth-placed Homers at Minyip Recreation Reserve.
COUCH SHINES FOR COLTS
Jay Couch scored 51 and took 4/9 in six overs in the Colts 48 run win over Laharum at Cameron Oval in round 14 of the Horsham Cricket Association C-Grade season.
After winning the toss and batting Couch as well as Chris Block, 50, helped guide them to 6/180. Nate Prenzler was the pick of the Demons bowlers with 4/17.
Drew Carmody, 3/12 alongside Couch was too good for the Demons, bowling them out for 132 in the 39th over. Tristan March, 51 not out and Angus Norton, 40, were the best batters for the Demons.
Lubeck Murtoa have continued their unbeaten season following an 8-wicket win against Homers at Murtoa Recreation Reserve.
After losing the toss and bowling, they restricted the Homers to 4/147 with Cameron Newell the pick of the bowlers with 2/25. James Officer, 43 and Bayley Burke unbeaten on 36 were the shining lights for Homers.
The Mudlarks chased the total down in the 29th over, finishing 2/148 with William Gellatly, 43 and Seth Callaby, 35 the batters of note. Finn Arnel took 2/24 for the Homers.
At Dimboola Road Oval, the Horsham Saints cruised to a 92-run win over the Tigers. After winning the toss and batting, they put on 7/195 thanks to half-centuries from Tadhg McGrath, 53, and Sarmad Saif, 51.
They bowled the Tigers out for 103 with Liam Carracher the star with the ball for the Saints finishing with figures of 4/27.
In the other match, Blackheath Dimboola forfeited against Natimuk.
In the final round tomorrow, Blackheath Dimboola host the Homers at Dimboola Recreation Reserve, Laharum host the Tigers at Cameron Oval, Horsham host Lubeck Murtoa at Coughlin Park and Colts face Natimuk in the match of the round at Dudley Cornell Park.