Intense rivals ready to battle
Has there ever been a regional cricket rivalry as fierce as the one shared by Horsham association A Grade outfits Homers and Rupanyup-minyip?
Probably not, considering how many times the teams have played off in major finals, a rivalry that in reality dates back through generations to the days of Rupanyup and Horsham City.
It is this rivalry that has arguably brought out the best in players from both camps – a rivalry set to have a new chapter after a one-day-game grand final under Horsham City Oval lights on Saturday night.
Early results in 40-over-a-side contests during the season determined the Cornell-shield finalists a few weeks ago and anticipation comes to a head as part of big Labour Day weekend attractions and activities.
Semi-finals for the season proper start the following week, so all cricketing eyes across the Horsham cricket region will be on what happens on Saturday night.
Latest form suggests Homers have it all over Rupanyup-minyip at the moment, with the Pigeons cruising to victory over the Blue Panthers in the last home-and-away round of the season.
On Saturday, defending 304 at their home digs at Horsham Sunnyside, Homers rolled through the visitors in the two-day clash for 177.
Left-arm spinning all-rounder Jason Kannar held the lantern aloft for Homers on this occasion, capturing 4-53, while Jarred Combe, fresh after a big ton the week before, took 3-39. Eddie Landwehr also chimed in with a couple of scalps.
With Craig Britten, Simon Hopper and Chris Hopper in action on Saturday night, life might be tough for the Rupanyup-minyip batsmen.
Daniel Schaper enjoyed time at the wicket for the Blue Panthers last hit, collecting 40, Adam Carter made 32 and Brent Hudson 32.
The final will be as much a test of wills as anything, with Travis Hair, Ryan Mettlemann, Dan Clark, Clint Midgley, Matt Downer, Vic Lothian and Leigh Funcke down the list, all with roles to play for the Blue Panthers.
Homers are going to be hard to dismiss with Combe, Sandy Hodge, Adam Atwood and the Hoppers all tough opponents.
Apart from the impending one-day action, cricketers are also preparing for semi-finals as part of the overall season.
Laharum fell to Horsham Saints in a last-round thriller, but was tipping its lid to Blackheath-dimboola late Saturday for achieving an upset result against Jung Tigers.
Blackheath-dimboola waited until the last match to record its first win of the season, a result that denied the Tigers the one point required to dislodge Laharum.
The Tigers were defending only 139 at Horsham City Oval, courtesy of difficult batting conditions the week before, and could only restrict the Bulls to 153 on a harder wicket.
David Elliott, 38, Trent Mcgough, 43, and Mick Mcgough, 28, proved the stumbling blocks with the bat as the Tigers’ David Puls finished with a five-wicket bag.
The Tigers attempted a last-ditch outright attempt, declaring at 3-119 in a 15-over second innings, but could only then manage one extra Bulls wicket.
Laharum, meanwhile, made a good fist of its attempt to haul in Horsham Saints’ 267, 14 runs short of controlling its own destiny.
Damien Bunworth predictably led the charge, making 81, and Ben Peucker, 59, and George Macduff, 47, also enjoyed productive partnerships and will now plan for a tough semi-final clash with Homers.
The Saints have some homework to do before their semi-final against Rupanyup-minyip.