THE year’s final round of Horsham Cricket Association A Grade action has been dampened by heavy rains on Saturday, but the Horsham Saints still managed to earn a result at Nhill.
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Saints travelled to Davis Park to take on bottom side the West Wimmera Warriors.
The Saints batted first, with the in form opening pair of Gary Davidson and Mark Crafter surprisingly failing to have an impact.
West Wimmera bowler Mitch Dahlenburg removed both openers, with Davidson making his lowest score for the season after being caught for five. Dahlenburg bowled Crafter who had worked his way to 23.
Those dismissals just proved how deep the Saints’ batting line-up goes this season, with captain Austin Smith coming in at first drop and making a game-high 80 runs.
Smith has now made innings of 30 or more in every game after round two.
Saints all-rounder Tim Bell came in at sixth and notched 64 runs not-out to help guide the Saints to an imposing total of 7-226.
Bell has been in fine form since returning to the Saints this season – he has yet to secure a batting average after making three not-out scores in A Grade this season of 107, 69 and now 64.
The Saints’ win sets up a sizeable gap at the top of the ladder between leaders Homers, the Saints in second and the rest of the competition. With Homers’ game against Laharum called off, the Saints have also managed to close the gap on their closest rivals.
Saints captain Austin Smith said it was a good game to win.
“It was pretty lucky for us that we were able to get the result and it brings us half a game closer to Homers,” he said. “We started early and as soon as we were walking off it started to rain, so we were lucky.
“Obviously it wasn’t ideal having our two better batsmen get out early, but it was good to see we were able to post a good score after that.”
Smith said he was hopeful his side could heap pressure on Homers when the season resumes.
“We hope to be at the top of the ladder and trying to match it with them and they are definitely beatable,” he said.
LAHARUM and Homers split the six points after their contest at Cameron Oval was abandoned due to heavy rain.
Laharum had batted first but was in a lot of trouble at 6-60 before the game was called off.
Homers’ Craig Britten had taken 3-23 from seven overs, while Eddie Landwehr was economical, taking 2-16 from seven overs.
RUP-MINYIP’S home encounter with Jung Tigers was also called off.
Jung batted first and was in some trouble early after losing four wickets, but then settled with the bat to finish at 4-81 before it started to rain.
