Leftie shines in Pigeons win
Left-arm swing bowler Eddie Landwehr was the unsung hero among the stars in a comprehensive Homers victory in Horsham Cricket Association’s A Grade grand final.
Landwehr’s probing in-swing and leg-cutters to Rupanyup-minyip’s right-handers proved deadly in the opening day of the two-day final and provided a platform for Pigeon success.
Homers bowled Rupanyup-minyip out for 152 before responding with 8-259, the Blue Panthers conceding at tea the following day.
Rupanyup-minyip won the toss and elected to bat at Horsham City Oval but lost Matt Downer for 12, courtesy of Homers all-rounder Jarred Combe who worked tirelessly and ultimately finished with impressive figures of 5-51.
It was then Landwehr who swooped on the Blue Panthers’ top and middle order, snaring the crucial wickets of Dan Clark, Adam Carter and Travis Hair.
Mixed in with the dismissals was a run-out of Daniel Schaper and the reigning premiers were soon reeling at 6-88.
While Landwehr made serious inroads, Combe was responsible for killer blows, his wickets of veterans Paul Morgan, possibly playing in his last match, and Leigh Funcke, sounding the death knell for the Blue Panthers’ innings. Morgan’s duck, produced from a leg-side scoop to square leg, was particularly telling.
Landwehr’s efforts produced 4-36, his best figures for the season. His season wicket tally of 26 was only two less than Combe despite him bowling 65 less overs.
But it was Combe’s form with the bat, in partnership with fellow bigoccasion player Simon Hopper, that helped cement the Pigeons’ success.
Aggressive opener Hopper made 124, sharing building-block stands with Sandy Hodge and Lachie Jones, as Homers skipped past the Rupanyup-minyip score.
Hopper, joined by Combe, 66, then batted the Blue Panthers out of the game, Hopper punctuating his knock with 26 fours.
The game showcased some of the best cricketers in the region, some in the prime of their games, others at the end and some all but starting their sporting adventures.
Homers captain Chris Hopper, recovering from an appendix operation, declared himself fit and played but only bowled one over and didn’t need to bat.
Homers players attended the association’s Cec Hopper Medal presentation in force with Simon Hopper capping off a big day for the Pigeons by winning the all-rounder trophy named in honour of his grandfather.