Blue Panthers back on song
Rupanyup-minyip is in the box seat to regain winning form in Horsham Cricket Association just in the nick of time.
The Blue Panthers, who set the pace early this season, have dropped all four one-day games since early January but now find themselves defending a more than handy 265 against Blackheathdimboola in a two-day clash at Dimboola.
The visitors appeared destined early on Saturday to continue their poor run, losing 2-5, before Travis Hair, 34, and Dan Clark, 30, settled the batting ship with a 63-run stand.
Reliable all-rounder Ryan Metelmann, in at five, then led a major middle-order recovery, initially with Scott Mccurdy, 22, and then veteran Paul Morgan, who chimed in with 65 in an ominous warning to other finalists.
Similar to other games, Blackheathdimboola toiled hard with the ball, Elliot Braithwaite, Harry Young, Lachie Watts and Garret Liston all snaring multiple wickets.
Premiership favourites Homers are also in a winning position after drying up the runs against Horsham Saints at Sunnyside Oval and having their opponents 8-108 after 75 overs.
In a game where runs seem at a premium, the Homers attack accumulated 36 maidens with Chris Hopper, the most decorated cricketer in Horsham association history, the best of the bowlers with 4-17.
His brother and fellow finger spinner Simon was also a multiple wicket-taker with 2-12 and all bowlers were miserly.
Horsham Saints resisted the attack with a 41-run opening stand from Justtin Combe, 21, and Stuart Mcguckin, 14, but only Josh Hedt offered other critical runs with an unbeaten 31.
A game between Jung Tigers and Laharum is in the balance in a contest of fluctuating fortunes at Horsham City Oval.
Laharum, despite missing all-rounder Damien Bunworth, flew out of the blocks after winning the toss and batting, and on a fast outfield had 89 in the book after the early loss of opener Josh Mahoney.
Todd Heynen and Daniel Griffiths raced the score along before off-spinner Jake Mclean applied the brakes, opening the door for leg-spinner Angus Adams to snare Heynen for 35. Griffiths, who made a quality 60 and big-hitting Ben Peucker, 22, continued to savage the bowling before the Tigers introduced Conor Lawson who managed to capture both, as well as Mal Adams.
The Mountain Men went from 5-152 to all out for 168, youngster Josh Leith collecting 3-0 at the end of the innings.
Jung Tigers then responded strongly in the chase, Sam Leith, 33, and Lawson sharing in a 43-run opening stand before Laharum hit back late in the day to have the home side 3-71.
The game remains well and truly up for grabs.
• The first of a Wimmera masters cricket series will continue at Horsham City Oval on Saturday night after a tentative hit-off at the weekend.
This week’s match, featuring Dunmunkle and Arapiles teams, is scheduled to start at 6.30pm.
Last week organisers arranged an exhibition batting and bowling contest between Horsham players.
Horsham association board member Howard Schier said the launch had been a success and the plan was to build on the concept.
“We’re hoping the idea will grow. From a scheduling point of view the concept in the future would be better suited to November-december,” he said