AN ALL-ROUND performance by Craig Britten propelled Homers to a third-straight A Grade Horsham Cricket Association one day premiership on Saturday.
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Britten claimed five wickets and then hit a half-century to help secure a seven-wicket win for his side against Rup-Minyip.
Homers captain Jarred Combe said his side was below its best in the field but that it was pleasing to get the job done with the bat.
“You know Rup-Minyip are always going to be competitive,” he said.
“The wicket was pretty flat so we really had to work hard for our wickets and to restrict them.
“Simon Hopper set the game up for us with the bat then Craig batted well which took the pressure of the blokes at the other end.”
The Blue Panthers opted to bat first at Horsham City Oval but Britten quickly had the side on the back foot. He removed Dan Clark and Ryan Metelmann to leave the side 2-11 after four overs.
It was up to the experienced combination of Adam Carter and Travis Hair to try and bring the side back into the contest.
They put on 59 for the third wicket before Hair was removed by Jason Kannar for 26.
Rup-Minyip looked on top of the contest while Carter and Dan Schaper were at the crease but when the pairs 63-run vigil came to a close things slowed dramatically.
Britten removed Carter for 32 and picked up Matt Downer shortly after without troubling the scorers.
Schaper then chipped one back to the seam bowler in his next over and Rup-Minyip was 6-145 after losing 3-12.
Cameo knocks from Clint Midgley and Brent Hudson helped the side to 185 with Britten claiming 5-36.
The game did not look in doubt from the start of the chase.
Simon Hopper dominated a 51-run opening partnership which was eventually broken when Midgley had Sandy Hodge caught behind.
Midgley then claimed the wicket of Hopper for 52 but Britten and Combe continued where the openers had left off.
By the time Britten was dismissed for 64 Homers were within 16 runs of victory. Combe and Chris Hopper saw the side over the line, with Combe unbeaten on 37.
Britten was named man of the match.