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    Homers all-rounder Chaminda Gamage gets airborne as he dramatically leaps for a catch during Horsham Cricket Association T20 action at Horsham City Oval. Gamage missed the chance but did considerable damage with his off-spinners, capturing 4-20 in the Pigeons’ A Grade win over West Wimmera. Picture: RILEY KEEL
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    SAFE: Homers’ Logan Miller safely retrieves a ball while in the outfield during Horsham Cricket Association action.
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    FORM: Baxter Perry sends down a delivery for Homers during an A Grade T20 match against West Wimmera. Pictures: RILEY KEEL
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    STYLE: West Wimmera’s Jimmy Philip lashes out during T20 action at Horsham City Oval.

Blue Panthers set for Horsham cricket return

By DEAN LAWSON

Rupanyup-Minyip will step back into Horsham Cricket Association’s A Grade spotlight on Saturday night as it attempts to find the form it needs to be a serious finals challenger this season.

The Blue Panthers have had an extended New Year break and return to action, against Jung Tigers, at Horsham City Oval.

A series of post-Christmas T20 matches continues and both sides will be desperate for victories to place them in a good position in a run home to finals.



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Rupanyup-Minyip is sitting fourth in a five-team competition, but figures suggest it is well off the finals pace, having won only one game this season. It has also yet to register T20 points.

The Blue Panthers have an exciting list and when considering the top order of Jamie Byrne, Bailey Young, Daniel Schaper and emerging talent Connor Weidemann, could easily get their season back on track.

Jung Tigers, meanwhile, are thereabouts as a finalist, but also need to find general consistency with bat and ball to be a serious threat.

In their return T20 game against competition pacesetter Noradjuha-Toolondo last week, the Tigers’ 118 fell short of being enough to contain the Bullants.

Captain Angus Adams chimed in with 43 in the middle order and Tyler Puls made 21, but other meaningful contributions were absent.

The Tigers were okay with the ball, but Noradjuha-Toolondo passed the target with a bit over an over to spare and only four wickets down.

The under-lights action on Saturday starts at 6pm in what for many is proving a popular weekend sporting fixture.

Friday night cricket at 7pm the day before at the city oval is also attracting plenty of interest, with a charging Noradjuha-Toolondo up against Homers.

The Bullants always seem to find a player to fill particular roles and last week, Shane Oakley stop-scored for the team in the middle order with an unbeaten 39.

Matt Combe made 28 and also captured four wickets with his medium-pacers.

The Bullants have plenty of high-profile performers and also have strong back-up, particularly with the ball via Jordan McDonald and Anthony Cutter. Oakley’s leg-spin is also dangerous.

An enterprising Homers team returned from the break with victory over West Wimmera.

The Pigeons kept the Warriors to 129 last week before clipping past the target in only 13 overs.

Luke Deutscher took the long handle to the westerners, scoring 86 off 43 balls in a knock including eight sixes and seven fours.

Paddy Mills also made 25 in an opening partnership of 95.

Earlier, Homers off-spinner Chaminda Gamage captured 4-20.

West Wimmera produced good results through first drop James Philip, unbeaten on 47, Nathan Alexander, 31, and Tim Braendler with 21 down the order.

The Warriors have a bye this weekend.

This week: T20 games, Horsham City Oval, Friday, 7pm, Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants v Homers; Saturday, 6pm, Jung Tigers v Rupanyup-Minyip.

Last week: Homers 2-130 (L. Deutscher 86, P. Mills 25) d Rupanyup-Minyip 7-129 (J. Philip 47no, N. Alexander 31; C. Gamage 4-20), Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants 4-121 (S. Oakley 39no, M. Combe 28) d Jung Tigers 8-118 (A. Adams 43; M. Combe 4-17).

Ladder: Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants 48 points, 1.74 percent; Jung Tigers 30, 1.08; Homers 30, 0.99; Rupanyup-Minyip 21, 0.55; West Wimmera 15, 0.90.

The entire January 19, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!