Caccaviello has elevated himself as a primary difference between the Bullants’ chances of winning and losing in a competition light on for teams but loaded with intensity.
Last week a spirited Homers bowling attack, led by Logan Miller, 4-21 and a miserly list of team-mates, cracked through a Noradjuha-Toolondo batting order at Horsham Sunnyside oval and appeared primed for an upset.
The Pigeons removed the Bullants’ three prime run-makers in Justtin and Matt Combe and Shane Oakley relatively cheaply and then snared Caccaviello in a press for wickets.
They would have felt well and truly on top, needing to simply occupy the crease to cruise to victory.
But the Bullants, with their spearhead in, quickly turned the game upside down.
In the end, only rising talent Luke Deutscher provided any resistance, posting 26 as the only Pigeon to reach double figures. West Wimmera will be coming off a bye to take on the Bullants and while wary of Caccaviello, will know he only has nine overs up his sleeve.
But the Warriors will also need to play their cards carefully, noting that others in the Bullants attack can also be hard to handle.
Homers, meanwhile, will shake themselves off and in a return to Sunnyside take on a Rupanyup-Minyip outfit that declared itself as hard to beat with a comfortable victory over Jung Tigers.
Rupanyup-Minyip had the Tigers’ measure for much of the afternoon at Minyip last week, initially frustrating the visitors with methodical, tight bowling and then dominating the ball when it came time to bat.
Lachlan Weidemann, Caleb Leith and Bailey Young tied the Tigers down early in the game after having them 3-10 and bowled them out for 122. Tyler Puls top-scored for the Tigers with 28.
The Blue Panthers then jumped on a wayward Tigers attack, Mark Mbofana, 38, and Jake Leith, 32, sharing a 73-run opening stand and putting the result beyond doubt, passing the target with two wickets down.
This week: Noradjuha-Toolondo v West Wimmera, Homers v Rupanyup-Minyip, Jung Tigers, bye.
Last week: Noradjuha-Toolondo 106 (L. Millar 4-21) d Homers 42 (L. Deutscher 26; T. Caccaviello 8-11), Rupanyup-Minyip 2-123 (M. Mbofana 38, J. Leith 32) d Jung Tigers 122 (T. Puls 28).
Ladder: Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants 24 points, 2.39 percent; Rupanyup-Minyip 15, 0.74; Jung Tigers 12, 1.00; Homers 12, 0.81; West Wimmera 9, 0.57.
The entire December 1, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!