Under pressure
West Wimmera players can sit back and sport a Cheshire Cat grin this weekend after finishing their debut Horsham Cricket Association A Grade season with a bang.
The Warriors won only two games for the season, but their second victory, which came as a last hurrah last week, might have put a psychological wobble into this weekend’s semi-finals.
Jung Tigers, who meet old nemeses Horsham Saints on the turf at Dimboola on Saturday, had been heading strongly to the season finale.
But they ran into a West Wimmera side determined to finish a competitive season strongly and subsequently posted its highest score for the season.
The Warriors’ 311 on a flat Horsham City Oval deck proved too high a mountain to climb for the Tigers, who had to contend with the changing conditions of a week between innings and were all out for 220.
The Tigers also ran into an Ash Dickinson-inspired attack and at one stage were well and truly on the back foot at 6-46.
The home side rallied through veterans David Puls, who top-scored with 70, and Marty Knight, 52 not out. Simon Mock also made 42 and Josh Leith a late 27.
But Dickinson, 5-19, and Josh Lees, 2-54, had already done most of the damage.
The Tigers must regroup strongly to match the Saints, who were too good for Laharum in the final round, defending 234 by bowling out the visitors for 139.
Mal Adams, 33, Daniel Griffiths, 32, and Josh Mahoney, 23, provided the main resistance to the Saints’ bowlers who shared in the spoils.
The Saints, who finished second mainly on the strength of their top order, will attempt to bat the Tigers out of the contest this weekend.
Gary Davidson, Corey Smith, coming off a half-century, skipper Austin Smith and bludgeoning Mark Crafter represent a potent top four and runs also came to others down the list last game.
The Tigers have relied on a broader batting mix, which features the likes of Brian Jensz, captain Angus Adams, Tyler Neville, and Tyler and David Puls, Josiah and Simon Mock and Sam Leith.
Both sides have a good mix of bowlers and spin might play a significant role at Dimboola.
The other semi-final will unfold between undeniable flag favourites Homers and Rupanyupminyip at Horsham City Oval.
Homers will go into the game having beaten their contemporary rival in the last game by only 33 runs.
The Blue Panthers have occasionally upset the Pigeons in the past and after getting close last weekend will be up for the challenge this weekend.
Homers defended 212 at Horsham Sunnyside last week by bowling Rupanyup-minyip out for 191.
All-rounder Jarred Combe, 5-20, and leftarmer Eddie Landwehr were the destroyers for the Pigeons, while opener Jamie Byrne provided a defiant 90 at the top of the list for the Blue Panthers.
Adam Carter also chimed in with 46 and Daniel Schaper made 24.
They, with Dan Clark, Brayden Ison, Mark Mbofana, Clint Midgley, Blake Turner, Josh Weidemann and the unpredictable Travis Hair are sure to make the Pigeons work hard.
Homers are a power-packed group with Combe, Landwehr, Adam Atwood, Simon and Chris Hopper, Craig Britten and Jason Kannar providing enviable versatility with bat and ball.
Horsham district is the last remaining cricket competition still in full swing.
In Wimmera-mallee association Jeffcott proved too good for Marnoo in an A Grade grand final at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park.
Jeffcott made 8-165 before bowling Marnoo out for 59.
Across cricket
This week: Semi-finals, Saturday-sunday, Homers v Rupanyup-minyip at Horsham City Oval, Horsham Saints v Jung Tigers at Dimboola. Last week: West Wimmera 7-311 (M. Dahlenburg 153, A. King 91; J. Leith 3-50) d Jung Tigers 220 (D. Puls 70, M. Knight 52no, S. Mock 42, J. Leith 27; A. Dickinson 5-19), Homers 212 (A. Atwood 77, J. Combe 34; J. Weidemann 3-23, M. Mbofana 3-48) d Rupanyup-minyip 191 (J. Byrne 90, A. Carter 47; J. Combe 5-20, E. Landwehr 4-35), Horsham Saints 234 (J. Davidson 62, T. Bell 59, C. Smith 56; B. Brotherton 4-51, J. Mahoney 3-53) d Laharum 139 (M. Adams 33, D. Griffiths 32). Final ladder: Homers 81 points, 2.39 percent; Horsham Saints 60, 1.30; Jung Tigers 48, 1.27; Rupanyup-minyip 33, 0.94; Laharum 18, 0.48; West Wimmera 12, 0.54.