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    Lachie Weidemann.

Teams closely matched in Horsham cricket

By DEAN LAWSON

Little separates teams competing in Horsham Cricket Association’s flagship competition as teams continue to draw up battle plans against familiar opponents.

West Wimmera is the only outfit dragging the chain in a wins column so far this season and will meet Rupanyup-Minyip in a fascinating contest at Nhill’s Davis Park on Saturday.

A home-ground advantage might just be what the doctor ordered for the Warriors, who would have been disappointed in failing to defend 200 against Noradjuha-Toolondo last week.



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West Wimmera is playing good cricket, especially with Mitch Dahlenburg, 89, and Austin Smith, 58, among the runs last week and Austin Merrett and Tim Braendler collecting three wickets each.

But the side finds itself sitting on the bottom of a five-team ladder and needs a win to stay in the pre-Christmas mix.

The Warriors meet a Rupanyup-Minyip side that appears vulnerable to inconsistencies but also capable of pulling out big results.

Last weekend the Blue Panthers fell well short with the bat, making 100 in response to a Homers target of 160 for victory.

A quick look at their batting list reveals plenty of talent with openers Mark Mbofana and Jamie Byrne followed by Bailey Young and talented Weidemann brothers Connor and Lachie and then Daniel Schaper.

Lachie Weidemann top-scored with 35 last week in what was generally a lean effort with the bat from a team that struggled against the Pigeon bowling.

Homers, with Luke Miller capturing 3-17 and a string of others sharing in the spoils, will now turn their attention to Jung Tigers, which come off a bye for a clash at Horsham City Oval.

The Tigers will particularly need to overcome the awkward bowling of spinner Chaminda Gamage, who bowled five maidens last week. Caleb Hurley also captured 3-27.

The pigeons also had several contributors with the bat last week with Jett Hopper top-scoring with 44, Paddy Mills making 39 and Gamage chiming in with 28.

Ladder leader Noradjuha-Toolondo has a bye and goes into its break with Josh Beddison having made 61 and Justtin Combe, 56, and Tony Caccaviello taking 3-27.

The Bullants’ successful big run-chase was their second in a row.

With cricket now in full swing, administrators across the region are gaining insight into the structure of the game.

There is a desperate need for a revamp of the game at a top level in the region and timing might be right for a long-talked-about new Wimmera premier competition.

Horsham A Grade features five teams and Grampians association A Grade has been subject to forfeits in the past fortnight.

This week: West Wimmera v Rupanyup-Minyip at Nhill, Jung Tigers v Homers at Horsham City Oval, Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants, bye.

Last week: Homers 8-159 (J. Hopper 44, P. Mills 39, C. Gamage 28; C. Hurley 3-27) d Rupanyup-Minyip 100 (L. Weidemann 35; L. Miller 3-17), Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants 8-203 (J. Beddison 61, Justtin Combe 56; A. Merrett 3-25, T. Braendler 3-37) d West Wimmera 5-200 (M. Dahlenburg 89, A. Smith 58; T. Caccaviello 3-27).

Ladder: Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants 30, 1.72; Homers 18, 1.02; Jung Tigers 18, 1.00; Rupanyup-Minyip 15, 0.68; West Wimmera 9, 0.77.

The entire December 8, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!