HORSHAM’S under-15 side continued its winning form on the second day of the under-15 country week carnival today.
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Blake Turner claimed three wickets with the ball before hitting an unbeaten 70 to guide the home side to a three wicket win against Portland.
Coach Brett Thomspon said the game ebbed and flowed throughout.
“It was such an even contest played in great spirit,” he said.
“It changed six or seven times where they were on top then we were on top – we just happened to be on top at the end.”
Portland won the toss and elected to bat on the hard wicket at Dudley Cornell and were on top of the contest early despite Codi Kenny removing opener Tom Drew for just two.
Luke Warburton scored strongly from the start of the game and found a willing partner in Jamo Ballantyne at first drop.
Warburton had hit 51 of his side’s 64 runs by the time he was the second wicket to fall while Ballantyne continue on his way with the support of Tex Mitchell.
The pair compiled a 71-run partnership before Turner started to impact the game. He clung onto a caught and bowled opportunity to remove Mitchell for 30 to trigger the start of a Portland collapse.
He then picked up two more quick wickets and when Bailey Young removed Ballantyne for 53 Portland was 7-171.
Portland were all out for 176 in the 43rd over after Nic Ballagh also played an important role to claim figures of 3-11 off four overs.
The run chase started poorly for Horsham with the early loss of Jacob Casey and Cooper Tyler.
“We knew that the score was definitely doable but when when we were 2-13 it was not looking too good,” coach Thompson said.
Young and Dylan Thompson then rebuilt the innings but by the time they both departed the side was 5-98.
Turner looked to move things along right from the start of his innings and he received good support from Patty Mills.
Despite the loss of two more wickets Turner remained calm at the crease and saw the side over the line with three overs to spare in partnership with Lachie Weidemann.
By the end of its 45 overs Horsham were 7-192, with Turner ending unbeaten on 70.
“It’s been a long time since Horsham has won there first two games at under-15 country week,” coach Thompson said.
“The boys are playing with high spirits, they’re playing with a lot of confidence and it hasn’t been just one or two guys that have been standing up for us.”
The side is one of only three to win its first three games and will take on Colac on Thursday.
If it wins that game it will be a good chance of playing in Friday’s grand final at Horsham City Oval.