AFTER a slow start to the Horsham Cricket Association A Grade season, Rup-Minyip captain Travis Hair is hoping the two-day format will allow his side to be more competitive.
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Rup-Minyip meets Laharum after losing to the side in round one.
The first round of two-day games could provide Rup-Minyip with a chance to construct a couple of partnerships and build a big score.
“The two-days might suit us and hopefully we can get some guys up the order to get some runs,” Hair said.
With a younger line-up and some more experienced heads such as bowler Brent Hudson not at full fitness, it has been tough going so far this season for Rup-Minyip.
“We have been battling away but we knew we wouldn’t have the best start to the season,” Hair said.
“We have definitely had some encouraging signs from the young guys such as Blake Turner and Jordan Weidemann. They will only get better as the season goes on.”
Adam Carter returned to the Rup-Minyip line-up last week and provides some more batting depth and experience.
“We will have a little bit more time at the crease this round and I think we need that,” Hair said.
“Last week against Homers we batted really slowly at the start and we dug ourselves a big hole.
“Laharum have won a couple games and Daniel Griffiths and Josh Mahoney at the top have been getting them off to really good starts.”
HOMERS have again proved to be the yard stick this season and the side will meet bottom-placed West Wimmera at home on Saturday.
The two-day style could cause some issues for West Wimmera with this particular match-up. Homers have been batting well in the one-day games, with Jarred Combe starting to find some good form.
With increased time at the crease, a big score from Homers should they bat first would go a long way to claiming the points.
A deep batting line-up featuring the likes of Adam Atwood opening the batting with Luke Deutscher, who has made some solid scores, as well as Chris Hopper, who has been batting further down the order, makes Homers an imposing task.
The side is still missing regular opening batsman Sandy Hodge, who would only strengthen the side.
West Wimmera continues to search for a breakthrough win in the competition.
The side hasn’t been able to chase or defend totals so far, with too few players scoring runs.
Captain Michael Preston has been in good form while Brodie Cramer found some runs on the weekend.
JUNG TIGERS will be hoping to push one of the in-form sides of the competition in the Horsham Saints at City Oval in Horsham.
The Saints have shown some improvement from last season and have piled on some big scores, including 3-218 against Laharum last weekend.