Sport
20 February, 2024
Blackheath Dimboola avoid outright defeat
For the second consecutive round, Blackheath Dimboola has fought hard to avoid outright defeat in their two-day match against the Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park in round 11 of the Horsham Cricket Association.
Starting day two on the back foot, having been bowled out for 135 and the Saints on 2/59, early wickets were needed. Sam Polack got the big wicket of Dezi Carter with a great catch off his own bowling, and the Bulls had their heads up.
Gary Davidson, however, had other ideas and with partnerships from Rob Kirkwood and Ben Sawyer, he guided the Saints to a total of 225. Davidson made 129.
Sam Leith, 2/35 and Daniel Polack, 2/46 were the pick of the bowlers for the Bulls. Lilly Schorback came up from C-Grade and as their leading wicket-taker she finished with 1/19 off three.
With a deficit of 90 runs and the match already lost, they had 37 overs to avoid outright defeat. Sam Polack with an unbeaten 52, aided by Sam Leith, 33, and Daniel Polack, 30, helped guide them to 8/135. Alex Rees, 3/44 and Brody Devlin, 3/19 were the Saints' best bowlers.
Sam Leith said they did well to fight.
"It's never ideal trying to play to avoid an outright. We had younger players put their hand up and they competed and did well," Leith said.
"Everyone that showed up, we wanted them to get involved in any way possible.
"Edward Schorback as a 10-year-old was close to getting a wicket and is a player to watch over the next few years and Lilly Schorback bowled well."
The Bulls two-day game against Laharum, scheduled for the final round of the home and away season is converted to a one-day match next weekend.
"With the ground being booked for the waterskiing, both captains decided to have a one-day match instead," Leith said.
"It means everyone has more fun. It's hard to get people motivated in the final match when you can't play finals.
"They are a good bunch of blokes and we always have fun against them. This week will go down to support the C Grade in their last game of the year against Homers."
At Noradjuha Recreation Reserve, Laharum defeated Bullants by 16 runs. After posting 195 on day one, and the Bullants batting attack at full strength, they needed early wickets and they did just that.
After getting off to a fast start to their innings, some great bowling from Jackson Hoffmann and Josh Mahoney had the Bullants 3/49 with prized wickets Justtin Combe and Shane Oakley back in the shed.
Matthew Combe, 55 and Troy Dumesny, 44, tried to get the Bullants home but some great bowling from Laharum got them the win - their first this season over an A-Grade side from last season.
Joshua Mahoney finished with 5/26 with Jackson Hoffmann, 2/37 and Daniel Griffiths, 2/26 chipping in alongside Max Bunworth's tight bowling of 1/23 off nine overs.
At Davis Park, West Wimmera having posted 244 on day one, cleaned up the Homers to bowl them out for 69 early. Adam Atwood, 20, and Oliver Potter, 15* were the bright sparks in the batting performance. Nathan Alexander, 6/34 was sensational for the Warriors.
With the loss already there, and an outright defeat possible, the match finished with the Homers 0/70 with Atwood and Patrick Mills unbeaten on 52 and 19 respectively.
At Horsham City Oval, Lubeck Murtoa gave themselves a chance to beat the Tigers, but the Tigers were too good.
After being bowled out for 118 on the first day, Lubeck Murtoa was on the back foot and the Tigers declared at 221, a lead of 103. Brenton Hallam, 96 and Levi Mock with an unbeaten 41 were the best batters for the Tigers whilst Blake Turner finished with 4/61.
The Mudlarks through Shannon Reddie, 69, Oscar Gawith, 50, and an unbeaten 53 to Xavier Shevlin declared at 8/233, with a lead of 130 runs. Tyler Puls was the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers with 3/49.
With 20 overs to try to bowl the Tigers out, it was a tall order and the Tigers finished with 4/124 with Dom Rose, 43 and Aaron Leith, 41 the best for the Tigers. Oliver Garth Lindsay finished with 2/20 for the Mudlarks.