Individual brilliance on full display in bumper Horsham Cricket Association opening round

Plenty of interest surrounded the match-up between the West Wimmera Warriors and Homers, with both sides expected to be serious title contenders.

The Warriors entered the game not having lost for over 600 days, and after electing to bat first, Nathan Alexander and Mitchell Dahlenburg quickly went to work extending that streak.

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The free-flowing Alexander raced to 30 to give the returning A Grade side a solid platform before Mohan Bandara dismissed him.

Mitchell Dahlenburg proved the perfect foil, picking up 42 before he was the victim of a run out.

The pair's dismissals opened the door for Homers' Sri Lankan speedster, Mohan Bandara (3-36), who tore through the middle order with the support of Adam Atwood (2-23) and Chaminda Gamage (2-23).

Trevor Polkinghorne (30*) offered some late resistance to see the Warriors through to 153.

Homers' response got off to a shaky start, with both openers back in the shed for single figures.

The onus fell on the middle order, with Chaminda Gamage (22) and Luke Deutscher (27) taking the extra responsibility in their stride.

Both would lose their wickets within six balls, to leave the visitors 4-65 and the Warriors sniffing an upset.

Craig Britten crashed any early celebrations, belting two maximums on his way to crucial 39.

Homers' big hitter would eventually depart at 5-113, triggering a lower order collapse. The next five wickets would fall for only 14 runs.

Nathan Alexander (4-8), Josh Lees (2-14) and Henry Smith (2-47) shone with the ball to help their side open the season with a 26-run win.

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At City Oval, Noradjuha-Toolondo new boy Tony Caccaviello was the benefactor of a green pitch, marauding through the top order to have Jung Tigers reeling at 5-30.

David Puls (53) tried to resurrect the Tigers' innings, but he too fell victim to the Bullants' tearaway quick,

Caccaviello christened his new colours with a dominant 5-11 and found handy support from John Heard (3-20).

Defending 116, the Jung Tigers' attack needed early wickets, though the Bullants openers, led by Justtin Combe (21) had other plans.

Codi Kenny (3-28) - who joined the Tigers from the Horsham Saints in the off-season - ended a 50-run opening stand, and grabbed the next two wickets cheaply to give his side a chance.

The Bullants' middle order stood tall, however, reaching the target with six overs to the spare.

In the round's final fixture, an unbeaten century from Rup-Minyip recruit Jake Leith guided his side to a comfortable 44-run win against the Horsham Saints.

Leith - who switched from Donald this season - combined with Jeremy Byrne (43) for a mammoth opening stand.

Though Byrne fell victim to Karl Goodwin (1-37), the Blue Panthers' middle order had little to do but give the strike to the man in form.

Leith finished unbeaten on 129 to guide the Blue Panthers to an imposing 211.

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In response, Saints openers Ben Sawyer (26) and Seb Dalgleish (22) gave their side some resemblance of hope.

The run chase staggered when Dalgliesh departed after Adam Carter rolled back the years with a sharp catch at short mid-wicket.

Horsham Saints debutant Jason Harris (81) was the only Saints batter who looked at ease against an accurate attack, led by Billy Foorde-Engelsman (3-21), fresh from a move from Ocean Grove.

A flurry of cheap, middle order wickets was all the Blue Panthers needed to wrap up a solid first outing.

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