Saints, Tigers to rekindle rivalry

Horsham Saints will attempt to continue shoring up second place on Horsham Cricket Association’s A Grade ladder when it resumes pleasantries against Jung Tigers at the weekend.

The Saints, who only a few weeks ago watched the Tigers chew up a mighty score at Horsham City Oval, have since continued to make runs and will now be after Tiger blood.

The Saints scored a mighty win over Rupanyup-minyip at city oval last weekend, centuries to Mark Crafter and Tim Bell the highlight of 5-334 in response to the visitors’ 163.

Opener Crafter’s ton was his second in as many games, his knock including 22 fours.

All-rounder Bell’s punishing and unbeaten innings down the list included 15 fours and seven sixes.

Fellow opener Gary Davidson retired on 66 and Austin Smith made 30 as the Blue Panthers watched the Saints gobble up WKHLU ¿UVW LQQLQJ VFRUH

The Tigers, despite making runs against the Saints, could not follow up the effort against competition powerhouse Homers who enjoyed a relatively easy win at Horsham Sunnyside.

Homers were defending 276 when play resumed on Saturday and quickly had the Tigers on the back foot.

Jung Tigers lost a string of top-order wickets through the joint efforts of medium-pacers Craig Britten and Jarred Combe before collapsing completely and being all out for 103.

Only veteran David Puls, 48, in the middle order, provided legitimate resistance to the Homers attack.

Jung Tigers will now need to regroup for what looms as an intriguing contest against the Saints.

Homers are sitting pretty at the top of both overall and oneday-game ladders and take on West Wimmera in a twilight clash under lights at Horsham City Oval.

The Warriors broke though for WKHLU ¿UVW ZLQ RI WKH VHDVRQ ODVW week, defending 147 by bowling Laharum out for 61.

Brad Keller proved the destroyer for the Warriors, capturing an impressive 5-8.

The Warriors will be back under the griller against the competition yardstick on Saturday night.

Laharum and Rupanyup-minyip have a chance to return to the winners list when they meet at Laharum.

Both are in need of consolidating performances in a countdown to a Christmas break.