Cricket
17 March, 2025
Homers brilliance delivers back-to-back premierships
Homers have successfully defended their Horsham Cricket Association A-Grade two-day crown with a brilliant win over the Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants at the Horsham City Oval on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16.
The Bullants won the toss and elected to bat, and openers Jamie Byrne and Justtin Combe played cautiously to try and see out the dangerous Perry brothers, Baxter and Gibson.
Byrne was first to fall, scoring one run off 38 balls. Despite Justtin and Matthew Combe trying to see off the opening bowlers, the Homers bowlers were too good, taking regular breakthroughs to have the Bullants at 4/40.
Wickets continued to fall with Tony Caccaviello standing tall, scoring 39 runs as the Bullants were bowled out for 89 in the 50th over, with Baxter Perry and Chaminda Gamage doing the damage with the ball, with figures of 4/13 (13) and 4/35 (19.5), respectively.
Homers then batted brilliantly to see out the day and finish on 1/68 with Hugh Dougherty and Luke Miller unbeaten at the crease, after Adam Atwood fell for 10, caught by Jordan McDonald off the bowling of Austin Smith.
When the match resumed on Sunday, the Bullants picked up some early wickets, and Matthew Combe fired, claiming six wickets to bowl the Homers out for 111. Combe finished with figures of 6/34 (19). Hugh Dougherty was the top-scorer for Homers with 31.
Trailing by 22 runs, the Bullants had 40 overs to build enough of a lead and then try to bowl Homers out. They made 6/84 off 16 overs, declaring with a lead of 62 runs.
Justtin Combe top-scored with 22. Baxter Perry took 3/31 (8), and Gibson Perry claimed 3/48 (8).
The equation was simple: Take 10 wickets in 21 overs, and the Bullants would come from the death to take an extraordinary win.
Homers, though, batted with intent, and scored 63 with the fall of three wickets, chasing the total down in the 16th over to win back-to-back premierships.
Chaminda Gamage was sensational, scoring an unbeaten 24 off 12 balls, while Atwood scored 24.
Matthew Combe finished with figures of 2/36 (8).
Gamage, who scored 33 runs and four wickets in the match, was named man of the match. This was Gamage's second man of the match award in a final, having previously won one for Homers in a one-day grand final.
Gamage said he just did what he had to do.
"I play my normal game, and I always do my best with bat and ball," Gamage said.
"I am happy with how I finished the season and how the team did as we played well last month.
"It's great to win again with my teammates and share it with them."
Last season, Homers lost to the West Wimmera Warriors in the one-day grand final, and this season was the same. Homers captain Adam Atwood said the two-day is more prestigious and he is thrilled they could go back-to-back.
"It's funny how it all plays out, losing the one day final again, and then getting the win," Atwood said.
"I am incredibly proud of the boys. They charged in on day one and kept them to a good score, and then we played with intent.
"The Bullants are a class side. They bowled well this morning, held their catches, and put up a terrific effort to make us bat again and make a game of it. I appreciate that, as I don't like to play cricket with no result."
When asked if he was nervous, even though they only had to survive 21 overs, Atwood said that intent was the key.
"I was more worried about the runs," Atwood said.
"I wanted to play with intent and look to score and the scoreboard will look after itself."
Atwood said it was a team performance.
"The Perry boys have been unbelievable all year and they are two young men making their mark in the association," Atwood said.
"Hopefully they play more cricket with Homers, but if not, I hope they find it in a bigger league because they have a bright future.
"Hugh Dougherty was important today and is not the prettiest batter, but he has been effective for the last couple of seasons and has a mature head on the young shoulders."
"Monty Wynne with the gloves was excellent, and then everyone in the field did their job. It was a real team effort and everyone can be proud of how they played."