Homers the team to beat
Horsham Cricket Association returns from the Christmas break with a oneday round on Saturday, with ladder leaders Homers looking to continue their prechristmas form, at Laharum.
The Pigeons should take on a full side with harvest all but done south of Horsham.
Young star Daniel Griffiths would hope to continue his good form with the bat after a 47 in his last outing, and will look to Todd Heynen, George Mcduff and Josh Mahoney to supply support in the top order.
Paceman Brad Johnson looks to be the most likely to trouble the Pigeons’ bats with the ball after a fine 3-30 against Rupanyup-minyip.
Homers will again look to Sandy Hodge and the Hopper boys to make life hard for the Mountain Men.
Simon Hopper and Eddie Landwehr will try to match their combined eight-wicket haul from last round.
Night game
Jung Tigers and Rupanyup-minyip will play a day-nighter at Horsham City Oval, with play to start at 4pm.
Rupanyup-minyip accounted for Laharum in round eight, with Ryan Mettelman top scoring with 81no.
The Blue Panthers are second on the ladder and will hope to close the gap with a win on Saturday.
Veteran Tiger David Puls still looks to be the bowler Rupanyup-minyip must contend with, but if fellow veteran Marty Knight can reproduce his last 5-16 start, the Tigers will be right in the game.
Rupanyup-minyip dropped only two wickets, passing Laharum’s score – the Tigers bowlers will need to strike early.
Horsham Saints will be out to boost percentage with a big win over Blackheath-dimboola on Coughlin Park turf.
Matt and Justtin Combe had a day out with the ball against Jung Tigers and look to have the goods to defeat the struggling Bulls.
Matt Everett and Brodie Cramer will need to make solid contributions for the Bulls to have any chance. • Ladders – Overall: Homers 45 points, 3.19 percent; Rupanyup-minyip 36, 1.21; Horsham Saints 30, 1.00; Laharum 18, 0.61; Jung Tigers 15, 1.17; Blackheath-dimboola 0, 0.40. Cornell-schwedes one-day: Homers 33, 2.25; Rupanyup-minyip 24, 1.34; Horsham Saints 18, 0.18; Laharum 18, 0.77; Jung Tigers 15, 1.38; Blackheath-dimboola 0, 0.45.