Teams set an early pace

Laharum will attempt to consolidate a potent start to Horsham Cricket Association on Saturday when it takes on Jung Tigers at Laharum.

The Mountain Men have had a ripping start to the season, a roundtwo win over West Wimmera coming off another outstanding batting performance led by Daniel Griffiths.

All-rounder Griffiths backed up an 81 from the opening round with 60 against the Warriors, and in the process shared a 113-run unbroken partnership with Ben Peucker, 58.

The performance came as Laharum ate away at a Warriors target of 136 at Laharum’s Cameron Oval, passing the score in the 40-overa-side game well within 30 overs.

Griffiths, Peucker and the likes of fellow batsmen Josh Mahoney, Brad Johnson, Dan Mibus, Damien Bunworth and Brad Brotherton, with their tails up, are sure to make life tough for the Tigers.

Jung has had two losses in a row, last week coming unstuck against Homers.

The Tigers made 5-154, Simon Mock, 56, and Sam Leith, 19, producing a 67-run opening stand and son-father combination Tyler and David Puls getting runs down the order.

But the side ran into Homers’ spinners led by Chris Hopper, 3-18.

Homers responded with 8-157, getting the runs at the game’s deathknock and handing the Tigers another narrow loss.

Jarred Combe top-scored for Homers with 42 in the middle order, opener Adam Atwood made 35 and Jason Kannar 29.

Homers, also sitting on two wins, meet another unbeaten side in Horsham Saints.

The Saints proved too good for Rupanyup-minyip at Rupanyup last week, chasing down a 110-run target in 35 overs.

New-ball bowler Haydn Smith, 3-19, conspired with others including Austin Smith and Jon Carroll to do most of the damage for the Saints.

Gary Davidson, 40, then led the Saints with the bat.

Rupanyup-minyip’s Travis Hair, with a middle-order 46, and Jordan Weidemann, 3-19, were the Blue Panthers’ best performers.

Rupanyup-minyip now ventures to Nhill’s Davis Park to take on West Wimmera, which is also chasing its first win.

West Wimmera will be searching for more breakthroughs with the ball but has shown the bat.

Mick Preston led the way with a middle-order 45 against Laharum, which followed a solid first-round plenty with knock, and several others made starts without going on to get significant scores.

An ice-breaking win might be around the corner.