IT was a muted return to the cricket pitch for a three-time Cec Hopper medallist on Saturday.
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Jarred Combe returned for Homers, as the Pigeons blew away Jung for a comfortable six-wicket victory.
It was Combe's first game back for the side since the 2018-2019 Horsham Cricket Association grand final.
Although the dangerous all-rounder did not bat or bowl in the contest, Homers skipper Adam Atwood said it was great to have Combe back in the side.
"With his footy commitments, and having another young child, he had last season off. But we've always been talking to him about returning, and we always hoped he was a chance to come back," Atwood said.
"He didn't have to do too much on Saturday, but it was good to have him back out there.
"Hopefully soon we will get Simon Hopper back in A Grade too, and young Baxter Perry (knee injury) as well."
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Despite the dominant performance against Jung on Saturday - in which Chaminda Gamage cleaned up with six wickets at City Oval - Atwood said it was shaping up as an exciting season in A Grade.
"I think the whole comp is even enough," he said.
"I don't think the batting across the competition has hit top form yet, but the bowling and the defensive side of the game has been really good."
Elsewhere in round three, Rup-Minyip got back on the winners list with an upset victory against West Wimmera.
Bailey Young (23) led the way for the Blue Panthers with the bat at Davis Park, while youngster Connor Weidemann (20) also played a part in an even batting performance.
Rup-Minyip set a target of 138 and the run chase was off to a bad start for the Warriors, as openers Nathan Alexander (12) and Mitch Dahlenburg (0) fell cheaply to the bowling of Clint Midgley.
Austin Smith (23) and Bradley Alexander (22) put up a fight and a decent third-wicket stand, but it wasn't enough for the Warriors, as the side finished all out for 104 in the 32nd over.
Lachie Weidemann finished with three wickets while Midgley and Billy Foorde-Engelsman took two apiece.
In the other A Grade contest, Noradjuha-Toolondo breezed to a seven-wicket victory against an undermanned Horsham Saints.
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Richard Crabtree
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
