Tigers, Pigeons in one-day battle

Early ladder leaders in Horsham Cricket Association’s A Grade competition will touch gloves in a significant showdown on Horsham’s Sunnyside Oval turf on Saturday.

Unbeaten Jung Tigers and Homers will meet for the first time in a one-day clash, with the Tigers holding a narrow lead on the Pigeons and the rest of the competition.

The Tigers have notched up wins against Laharum and Blackheath-dimboola, their victory over the combine at Dimboola punctuated by a century from skipper Tyler Neville.

Neville’s unbeaten middle-order century, featuring 11 fours and three sixes, and Brett Jensz’s 50 provided the backbone to a Tigers score of 6-234, which proved too tough a task for the home side to topple.

Blackheath-dimboola responded with only 113, Lachie Watts the sole resistance with a first- drop 57 as medium-pacer Pat Laffy, 4-8, did most of the damage with the ball.

Despite the solid batting effort, the Tigers will need more of their top-order players including Angus Adams and Conor Lawson to find form and luck against the Pigeons.

Homers were too good for Rupanyup-minyip, mainly based on the consistency of their top-order batsmen.

Simon Hopper toped the list with 67 and Chris Hopper made 57 not out.

Four others made it into double figures as Homers clipped 6-222 at Rupanyup.

The home side could not find enough runs, responding with 6-152, Ryan Metelmann hitting 40 and Matt Downer and Scott Mccurdy both hitting 32.

The Homers attack fronted by Jarred Combe, Eddie Landwehr and Craig Britten will again attempt to dry up the runs this week.

This Saturday, Rupanyupminyip will try to rebound at Minyip against Tony Caccaviello’s Horsham Saints who recorded a solid win over Laharum.

The Saints bowling attack, with Matt Combe, 3-16, and Justtin Combe, 5-16, shining with the ball, set up victory by restricting the Mountain Men to 9-129.

Matt Combe, 59, and Austin Smith, 25 not out, then led the successful chase.

For Laharum, George Macduff top-scored with 43 and Daniel Griffiths hit 33.

The Saints will find Rupanyup-minyip a tough opponent, especially if Brent Hudson can get going with bat and ball.

Laharum and Blackheath need wins and have an opportunity against each other at Laharum.

While Laharum sits in the four with one win against its name, Blackheath-dimboola has yet to open its account.

Laharum has players who can lay knock-out blows and the visitors will need to stay on task and occupy the crease for as long as possible to score a much-needed win away from home.