DAY TWO of the Horsham Cricket Association’s round five A Grade games resume on Saturday, with two matches evenly poised.
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The match-up between Rup-Minyip and Laharum hangs in the balance after some great middle-order batting guided Laharum to 8-247 in their first innings.
Captain Daniel Griffiths was relatively pleased with the batting performance, especially Ben Peucker and Damien Bunworth’s 120-run partnership after Griffiths fell for just one.
“Our first innings gives us a chance,” Griffiths said.
“Josh Mahoney got a good start and then Ben and Damien’s partnership really steadied us which was good to see.”
While the target is defendable, Griffiths said 247 isn’t enough to be comfortable against Rup-Minyip heading into day two.
“Rup-Minyip has some very good cricketers, so we will have to bowl really well to get them under 250,” Griffiths said.
“If you bowl good lines and lengths you can wear the batsmen down. It’s a hard wicket, so hopefully that gets the job done.”
With the potential of a full day of batting, Griffiths said bowling conservatively and limiting runs won’t be enough with wickets the key to a win.
“If they bat all day they should be able to make the runs, so we will probably have to bowl them out,” he said. “The run rate shouldn’t be an issue for them.”
The return of Brad Brotherton to the line-up will help Laharum’s bowling depth, while Eddy Nagorcka also steps in for his first game.
“Hopefully Brad will be able to bowl a few overs and cause some damage,” Griffiths said.
JUNG TIGERS has a big task ahead of them after Horsham Saints put on 343 runs in their first innings last weekend.
The total is attainable for the Tigers, particularly with a quick outfield and a favourable batting surface at City Oval in Horsham.
Consistency with the bat will be key for Jung, who has too often had top order batsmen fall for less than ten runs this season.
On average this season, three out of their top six have fallen with less than double digits on the scoreboard.
A more consistent effort across the board will hold them in good stead.
The match is a big contest between two teams separated by just one game on the ladder.
HOMERS are in a commanding position against West Wimmera after batting first and posting 2-375 in their first innings.
It would take a monster effort for the bottom-placed Warriors to come back from there against the A Grade’s top side.
