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    Bullants HCA B Grade Grand Final premiers.
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    West Wimmera HCA C Grade Grand Final premiers.
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    LOVING IT: Three generations of the Hopper family, from left, Tim, Barry and Charlie, played in the C Grade grand final for Homers.
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    Bullants HCA B Grade Grand Final premiers.
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    John Heard took 8-21. Bullants HCA B Grade Grand Final premiers.

Fairytale finish for B Grade Bullants in cricket final

By Colin MacGillivray

Noradjuha-Toolondo completed a fairytale season by capturing the Horsham Cricket Association B Grade premiership in a 10-wicket rout of the Horsham Tigers at Dudley Cornell Park at the weekend.

The Bullants barely qualified for the finals after finishing just two points higher on the ladder than the fifth-placed Horsham Saints, but proceeded to upset reigning premier and ladder leader Rupanyup-Minyip in a semi-final before dismantling the Tigers in the grand final.

While Tiger openers Scott Marks and Callum Jackson made 20 runs apiece, Bullant bowler John Heard made life difficult for them and their team-mates.



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Heard finished the day with a staggering 8-21 from 13.3 overs with three maidens, allowing only 1.55 runs an over, while Heath Lang, 1-24, Riley Lane, 1-24, and Mason Hair, 0-6 from eight overs, played supporting roles.

With the Tigers all out for 77 inside 40 overs, Noradjuaha-Toolondo was in no mood to prolong proceedings as openers Jesse Brown, 22 not out, and Kent Hair, 53 not out, carried their bats through a quick 18-over run chase.

Heard was an obvious choice for man of the match, capping a successful individual season that saw him finish equal second on the B Grade wickets leaderboard.

C Grade

West Wimmera captured the C Grade premiership with a comprehensive 66-run win against Homers at Dimboola Road Oval, Horsham.

Warriors captain Ash Dickinson chose to bat after winning the toss, and while no individual shone, the likes of Tim Braendler, 20 runs, Wallace Wheaton, 21, Greg Trenery, 21, and Patrick Rogers, 20, all did enough to drag their side to a defendable total of 10-134.

The Pigeons struggled to mount a threatening run chase, with only skipper Matt Arnel’s 19 at the top of the order moving the needle as the side was bowled out for 68 in the 28th over.

West Wimmera bowler Glen Treverton took a team-best 4-5 on his way to man-of-the-match honours, with Xavier Bone and Shane Kessler, two wickets each, lending support.

While the Pigeons went home without premiership medals, the Hopper family still had plenty to celebrate as three generations took the field for the grand final.

Barry Hopper said playing in a big match with his son Tim, grandson Charlie and great nephew Jazz was special.

“It’s fantastic playing with my son and grandson. It reminds me of the first time we won an A Grade premiership with my dad and brother David in 1968-69,” he said.

“I’m 72 now and Charlie is 15. I’ve been playing since about 1962 and I’m still keen as mustard – I love it.”

The entire March 19, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!