Blue Panthers in mix
While Rupanyup-minyip sits out a Horsham Cricket Association bye this week, it remains a critical part of an equation unfolding in A Grade competition.
The Blue Panthers, on the bottom of the five-team ladder, have forced their way into finals contention and will look on as more-than-interested spectators at what unfolds this weekend.
The Dunmunkle combine produced the upset of the season against Noradjuha-toolondo last week, is on equal points with fourth-placed West Wimmera and now breaths down the neck of nose-diving Jung Tigers.
There are only three home-andaway rounds remaining in the season and it remains unknown which one of the five will miss the play-off.
The competition switched back to 45-over-a-side fixtures after a string of T20 games and it immediately paid dividends for RupanyupMinyip.
It bowled over the Bullants by making 7-194 at home at Minyip and then found the visitors short of their ground at 8-142 at the close of play.
Rising young talent Lachie Weidemann was the star in the Blue Panthers batting effort, top-scoring with 55 and sharing a solid partnership with Daniel Schaper, 39. Dylan Eats made 27 and Connor Weidemann also chimed in with 22.
Noradjuha-toolondo initially responded strongly, Justtin Combe, 14, and Josh Beddison, 31, sharing a 41-run opening stand and then Matt Combe making 33.
But the restrictive efforts from the likes of Caeleb Leith, 2-11 from nine overs, strangled the Bullants in their chase.
The result, while critical in a pre-finals build-up, has also provided Noradjuha-toolondo with a reminder of the vagaries of cricket and more of a tonic than a dagger in the heart. This doesn’t augur well for its opponents this week, Jung Tigers.
The Tigers are struggling and poor post-christmas results are whittling away at foundations the team set early in the season.
The Tigers found themselves defending 164 against West Wimmera at Horsham City Oval with veteran Chris Walter rescuing the innings with 45 while working with Tyler Puls, 23, and Brett Jensz with an early 26.
Nathan Alexander was the West Wimmera destroyer, capturing 5-28 and ensuring the Tigers failed to get further batting traction.
West Wimmera, which takes on Homers in another huge game at Nhill’s Davis Park this weekend, reeled in the target with six wickets down in the 43rd over.
Liam Preston, 49, and Mitch Dahlenburg, 46, were the leading chasers and Austin Smith, 25, was still at the crease on confirmation of the result.
West Wimmera players will be determined to keep RupanyupMinyip at bay but will find enterprising second-placed Homers a challenging opponent. This week: Noradjuha-toolondo v Jung Tigers at Horsham City Oval, West Wimmera v Homers, Rupanyup-minyip, bye. Last week: West Wimmera 6-165 (L. Preston 49, M. Dahlenburg 46, A. Smith 25no, J. Mock 3-21) d Jung Tigers 164 (C. Walter 45, B. Jensz 26; N. Alexander 5-28), Rupanyup-minyip 7-194 (L. Weidemann 55, D. Schaper 39, D. Eats 27; T. Caccaviello 3-28) d Noradjuha-toolondo Bullants 8-142 (M. Combe 33, J. Beddison 31). Ladder: Noradjuha-toolondo Bullants 66 points, 1.40 percent; Homers 48, 1.14; Jung Tigers 36, 0.85; West Wimmera 33, 1.00; Rupanyup-minyip 33, 0.72.