The West Wimmera Warriors have a chance to get their first win in Horsham Cricket Association A Grade when their two-day match against Laharum resumes on the weekend.
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The Warriors made 147 runs in their first innings before an excellent bowling performance put them in a good position. The Warriors took the wickets of Joshua Mahoney, Daniel Griffiths and Ben Peucker in the last 15 overs of the day, leaving Laharum at 3-36 at stumps.
Mahoney, Griffiths and Peucker combined for 133 runs last time the two sides met in round 2. This time, they were all out for a combined 24.
Warriors captain Michael Preston said it was a critical end to the day.
“It was very pleasing. The boys put in a lot of effort,” he said. “The three wickets that we got were the players that did the most damage against us last time, so it was pretty important.
“We bowled and fielded really well but it’s just a start. Now we have to go on with it.”
The Warriors got off to a difficult start last weekend falling to 5-64, but some gallant middle-order batting put them back on the right track.
“Laharum were bowling really well early. Even through the middle overs they bowled a good tight length. It made it hard,” Preston said.
“But Louis Preston (31 runs) and Adrian King (21 not out) batted really well. They battled hard.
“It’s sitting pretty even at the moment. We’re pretty hopeful.”
Preston said he was pleased with the way the team were performing this year despite having not won a match. He said they’ve been let down by simple mistakes, something they will have to fix-up on the weekend.
“We haven’t had much success but it’s been all our own fault. We’ve dropped catches at crucial times a lot this year and that’s really hurt us,” Preston said.
“It’s something we will focus on this weekend.”
In other matches JUNG TIGERS have a big task ahead of them trying to chase down HOMERS first innings total of 276. Simon Hopper was the backbone of Homers’ innings with 83 runs. He reached his half-century in including a quickfire 50 that contained 11 boundaries.
The Tigers will be hoping for a similar effort to last round against the Horsham Saints when they chased down 343 with two wickets to spare. Five players notched half-centuries in that match and a similarly consistent effort will certainly help their cause. Openers Sam Leith and Tyler Neville will be important to get them off to the right start.
HORSHAM SAINTS are in the box-seat against RUP-MINYIP ahead of day two. Daniel Schaper (64 runs) fought hard for Rup-Minyip last weekend but the Saints were led by Johnothan Carroll’s five wicket haul and had Rup-Minyip all out for 163.
Saints openers Mark Crafter (51 not out) and Gary Davidson (41 not out) burst out to a great start in reply and need 71 more runs for victory. Rup-Minyip need early wickets to get themselves back into the contest.
