HOMERS all-rounder Chris Hopper has again hit form with the bat at the right time.
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The blazing right-handed, middle-order batsman scored his second consecutive A Grade century at the weekend – an unbeaten 109 against Noradjuha-Toolondo after 131 against Horsham Saints.
“It’s good to get a hit after not having played a whole lot of cricket after the break,” Hopper said.
“I’m pretty sore at the moment though.”
The star Pigeon has a habit of making big scores at this time of year – he made two big centuries and a 96 after Christmas last season – and in total he has made six centuries and fallen four or less runs short on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Hopper said his century in the Pigeons’ big win against the Bullants on Saturday was hard-earned, but with a bit of luck.
“They kept things pretty tight,” he said.
“I edged a few early but I think there was only one chance.
“The way I go about it, you need a bit of luck and you need to ride it when you get it.
“We never really got going – it took us 90-plus overs to get 270 on a good wicket.”
Hopper and the undefeated Pigeons look in ominous form heading into the business end of the season, with the side on track to replicate its A Grade one-day and two-day premiership double from 2012-13.
That will start with the Cornell Schwedes one-day final against Blackheath-Dimboola under lights at Horsham City Oval on Sunday.
“We probably haven’t spoken much about the two day stuff – we’re focusing on Sunday’s one-day final first,” Hopper said.
“It’s going to be pretty evenly matched on Sunday.
“Hopefully we’ve got everyone on deck and ready to go.”
He said the side was looking forward to taking on the in-form Bulls – who have won five of their six one-day matches this season and beat Jung Tigers by more than 300 runs on Saturday.
“They’re coming off a pretty big win as well,” Hopper said.
“Lachie Watts has been in pretty good nick with the bat and I’m a fan of Ollie Young as a cricketer.
“They’ve got pretty good depth with the bat and ball, so obviously we’ll have to play pretty well to beat them.”