By Sean O’Connell

After three rounds of Horsham Cricket Association’s A Grade one-day competition, leaders of the pack are starting to emerge. 

Homers took another step towards convincing others of their 2023-24 season credentials, defending 8-220 against last year’s benchmark in West Wimmera. 

Patrick Mills made 66 for Homers before a delivery from James Crowhurst found the openers’ stumps. 

A further 79 from Logan Millar, who came to the crease at number four, gave Homers a total they could defend with confidence. 

Nathan Alexander took 3-25 for West Wimmera, while Mitchell Dahlenburg rattled the bails of Millar to finally dismiss the top scorer.  

In West Wimmera’s batting innings, Dahlenburg backed up his efforts with the ball, making 73. 

The next highest scorers for West Wimmera were Alexander, who was stumped by keeper Luke Deutscher for 22, and Trevor Polkinghorne, who also made 22. 

Homers bowler Gibson Perry took 4-18 to impede West Wimmera’s run-chase, including the wicket of Polkinghorne.  

Lubeck-Murtoa will be looking to prevent a response from West Wimmera in this week’s one-day match. 

In a return to Murtoa Recreation Reserve, the home side was second best against Horsham Tigers on Saturday.

Most Tigers batters reached double figures as they mounted a solid 6-225 for Lubeck-Murtoa to chase. 

Angus Adams made 69 before a Shannon Reddie catch off the bowling of William Gellatly, while Reddie bowled Tyler Puls on 57.

After Lubeck-Murtoa went into bat, Levi Mock took 3-31 including the scalp of Thomas Barrand for 41. 

Lubeck-Murtoa was all out for 138 after 38 overs. 

Horsham Tigers hope to follow the strong result with a tough match against Bullants. 

In a close-run game, Bullants were able to edge out Laharum with one wicket to spare. 

Ben Peucker’s 40 was the most of any batter as Laharum managed 116, before it was all out after 29.3 overs. 

A valiant effort from Laharum in the Bullants’ innings allowed it to come close to defending a relatively low total. 

Josh Mahoney took 4-16 as the Demons made their way through Bullants’ batting order. 

Tobey Anson and Jamie Byrne came to the crease early for Bullants, as each of their openers were dismissed quickly, making 41 and 28, respectively. 

Coming to the crease at number 10 and 11, the odds were against Kobi and Heath Lang, but the tail enders were able to surpass Laharum’s 116 after 35.2 overs.

Following the defeat, Laharum will host Blackheath-Dimboola, who faced Horsham Saints at the weekend. 

The Saints were able to reach Blackheath-Dimboola’s 10-158 with four overs to spare. 

Blackheath-Dimboola captain Sam Leith top scored with 56, before being given out leg-before-wicket from a Cameron Pellissier ball. 

Brock Hamerston took 3-24 for the Saints, with Sean McDonald and Jono Carroll both taking two. 

Saints openers Mark Crafter, 60, and Rod Kirkwood, 40, put a significant dent in Blackheath-Dimboola’s total as the run-chase began.

Bulls’ Elliot Braithwaite was involved in the majority of the six wickets recorded, taking three with the ball as well as catching Crafter off Josh Leith’s bowling.  

Garry Davidson, who finished not-out on 22, and Pellissier, 4, were at the crease as the Saints finished winners.

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