Whatever the case, results from last week showed that no team made it to or needed to make 150 in 40-over-a-side games.
The ball certainly had it all over the bat and teams this week will no doubt be trying to overcome any identifiable shortcomings.
The competition has entered an awkward period for teams that include farmers who need to get crops off their paddocks. Player availability can heavily influence results under these circumstances.
But games continue as scheduled and one of the most intriguing contests this week will unfold between Noradjuha-Toolondo and West Wimmera at Noradjuha.
West Wimmera continues to narrowly lead the competition but came back a peg last week with a loss to rebounding Rupanyup-Minyip.
The Westerners appeared in the box seat after bowling the Blue Panthers out for 138 at Nhill’s Davis Park, but then crashed and burnt in reply.
West Wimmera could only scramble to 104 in reply with only Austin Smith, 23, and Brad Alexander, 22 and a few others who made it to double figures offering resistance.
Lachie Weidemann did much of the damage for the visitors, capturing three wickets, and also had a few mates in Clint Midgley and Billy Foorde-Engelsman sharing in the spoils.
Noradjuha-Toolondo, meanwhile, dominated its match against Horsham Saints at Noradjuha.
The Saints were never in the hunt, all out for a disastrous 65 with Josh Hedt’s 24 looking lonely at the top of the order as Matt Combe, John Heard, Jordan McDonald, Brendan Ward, Brendan Wills and Justtin Combe took it in turns to tighten the screws.
The Bullants needed only 14 overs to skip past the target with seven wickets in hand.
This Saturday’s match-up, again at Noradjuha, should be a beauty.
There are plenty of questions surrounding a Homers team, which bounced back against a disappointing Jung Tigers to set up a clash with Rupanyup-Minyip.
Some of the Pigeons’ star veterans are back in B Grade but weren’t needed in a crushing victory over the Tigers. Chaminda Gamage was the destroyer for the Pigeons, capturing 6-25 as the Jung side capitulated at Horsham City Oval for 72.
Homers then dashed to victory with Jett Hopper making 37 and Nathan Koenig 33 as they passed the target four wickets down.
Homers’ opponent at Horsham Sunnyside this weekend would be feeling confident, having freshly dispatched West Wimmera.
Rupanyup-Minyip did enough to get across the line last week and double-figure efforts with the bat from Jamie Byrne, Midgley, Bailey Young, Connor Weidemann, Blake Turner and Travis Hair hinted at more success around the corner.
Two teams that need to quickly bounce back are Jung Tigers and Horsham Saints, taking each other on at Horsham City Oval.
The Tigers are holding on grimly to fourth spot while the Saints have yet to win and this match might be crucial in the teams’ overall season prospects.
This week: Noradjuha-Toolondo v West Wimmera at Noradjuha, Homers v Rupanyup-Minyip at Horsham Sunnyside, Jung Tigers v Horsham Saints at Horsham City Oval.
Last week: Homers 4-73 (J. Hopper 37, N. Koenig 33) d Jung Tigers 72 (C. Gamage 6-25), Rupanyup-Minyip 138 d West Wimmera 104 (L. Weidemann 3-21), Noradjuha-Toolondo 3-70 d Horsham Saints 65.
Ladder: West Wimmera 12 points, 1.57 percent; Noradjuha-Toolondo 12, 1.33; Rupanyup-Minyip 12, 0.98; Jung Tigers 6, 1.47; Homers 6, 1.21; Horsham Saints 0, 0.28.
The entire November 25, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire November 25, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!