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20 January 2021
By DEAN LAWSON
A Horsham Cricket Association run to the finals is underway with two pacesetters leading the pack and a swinging fourth place up for grabs.
A post-Christmas trifecta of T20 rounds is already influencing standings and will again have a profound effect on Friday.
Noradjuha-Toolondo is out in front of the field with West Wimmera snapping at its heels and Homers sitting third, while Rupanyup-Minyip is holding on grimly to fourth spot from Jung Tigers by percentage.
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Match of the round this week is likely to unfold at Horsham City Oval where the leading Bullants will take on West Wimmera in a test of strength.
Noradjuha-Toolondo returned from the break with a T20 win over Rupanyup-Minyip, chasing down the Blue Panthers’ 4-109 with three overs to spare and seven wickets in hand at Minyip.
Matt Combe led the charge with an unbeaten 50 and Troy Dumesny, 25, and Tony Caccaviello, 18, also making important contributions.
Rupanyup-Minyip had earlier built its innings around the batting of Jake Leith, 47, and Brent Hudson, 26 not out.
The Bullants front up this week against a West Wimmera side that ultimately prevailed against Homers at Horsham Sunnyside reserve.
Homers had the visitors in strife early, medium-pacer Craig Britten producing a damaging 3-19, but a middle-order 49 from Brad Alexander allowed West Wimmera to hit 7-112.
Homers chased the target with Adam Atwood, 22, and Chaminda Gamage, 43, making headway and Simon Hopper, 21, and Jarred Combe 14 not out, almost getting to but falling three runs short of victory.
Homers have a chance to regroup against Horsham Saints at Horsham’s Coughlin Park this weekend.
Horsham Saints were in the box seat to upset Jung Tigers’ finals chances at Horsham City Oval but, like the Tigers, struggled with the bat.
In a lacklustre contest, the Tigers made 9-89, captain Angus Adams making 41, then had the Saints 9-64 at the close of play.
Tigers veteran David Puls took 3-6 while Matt Currill top-scored for the Saints with 19.
A critical game at Horsham’s Dimboola Road community oval between the Tigers and Rupanyup-Minyip on Friday evening is likely to have significant bearing on the run home.
The lure of short straight boundaries and a hard wicket is likely to promote big hitting from both sides.
Results –
This week, all Friday evening: T20, Horsham Saints v Homers at Coughlin Park, 5pm, Jung Tigers v Rupanyup-Minyip, Horsham Community Oval, 5pm, Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants v West Wimmera, Horsham City Oval, 6.30pm.
Last week: Jung Tigers 9-89 (A. Adams 41no; J. Carroll 3-6) d Horsham Saints 9-64 (D. Puls 3-6), Noradjuha-Toolondo 3-110 (M. Combe 50no, T. Dumesny 25no) d Rupanyup-Minyip 4-109 (J. Leith 47, B. Hudson 26no), West Wimmera 7-112 (B. Alexander 49; C. Britten 3-19) d Homers 6-110 (C. Gamage 43).
Ladder: Noradjuha-Toolondo 36 points, 1.15 percent; West Wimmera 30, 1.25; Homers 27, 1.44; Rupanyup-Minyip 24, 1.07; Jung Tigers 24, 0.90; Horsham Saints 3, 0.45.
The entire January 20, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
