Sport
28 February, 2024
Lubeck Murtoa on verge of upset win
The final round of the Horsham Cricket Association A-Grade season sees Lubeck Murtoa on the verge of a massive upset in their two-day match against the West Wimmera Warriors at Murtoa Recreation Reserve.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Mudlarks were bowled out for 151 in the 49th over. Captain Shannon Reddie was the shining light for the Mudlarks with an unbeaten 84 off 148 balls.
Jordan Gurry, 3/43, Nathan Alexander, 3/31, Xavier Bone, 2/18 and Bradley Alexander, 2/26 were the wicket-takers for the Warriors.
In reply, a blistering spell from Nic Ballagh has the Warriors at 6/60 with Luke Smith and Xavier Bone unbeaten on 9 and 10 respectively. Ballagh took the prized wickets of Jobe Dickinson, Nathan and Brad Alexander in his spell and he finished with figures of 4/21 off 11 overs.
The Mudlarks will be looking to wrap the match up quickly, but captain Shannon Reddie said anything is possible.
"Hopefully they don't get Mitch Dahlenberg back as he might be pushing into the side," Reddie said.
"He is a handy player if he plays but hopefully we can get an early wicket and put more pressure on.
"Cricket is a funny game and even though the boys have their tails up, anything can happen."
When asked about Nic Ballagh's spell, Reddie said it was brilliant.
"He was bowling great lines and lengths and the team was backing him up well," he said.
"He has hit some good form lately and his bowling well and we also hung onto our catches which was pleasing to see as well."
The Tigers and Bullants clash at Horsham City Oval evenly poised.
After winning the toss and batting, the Bullants were bowled out for 194 in the 53rd over. Matthew Combe, 50, was the top scorer for the Bullants whilst Tyler Puls, 4/21 and Angus Adams, 3/33 were the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers.
In response, the Tigers are 5/76 at stumps with Tyler Puls and Levi Mock unbeaten on two and zero respectively.
Brenton Hallam scored 38 opening the batting with Dom Rose chipping in with 24, but Matthew Combe made it hard for the Tigers bowlers taking three wickets, currently with figures of 3/28.
With two quality batters at the crease, the game could go either way and a thrilling finish is on the cards.
At Sunnyside, the Homers are in the box seat after posting 8/247 in their clash against the Horsham Saints.
Adam Atwood scored a century and with help from Patrick Mills, 38, Monty Wynne, 23 and Chaminda Gamage, 25, they were able to post a good total. Atwood hit eight fours and one six in his unbeaten 111 which came off 180 balls.
Brock Hamerston, 3/86 and Jono Carroll 3/53 were the pick of the bowlers for the Saints.
DRIDAN'S SEVEN WICKETS SINKS BULLANTS
A seven-wicket haul to Tigers' bowler Dale Dridan has put them in a commanding position in their two-day match in the final round of the Horsham Cricket Association B-Grade season.
Dridan finished with figures of 7/18 off 14.5 overs which included six maidens as they bowled the Bullants out for 59. Kent Hair top scored with 23 for the Bullants.
Colts have already secured a win against West Wimmera in their match at Davis Park.
After winning the toss and batting, the Warriors were bowled out for 79 with Liam Albrecht top scoring with 22. Josh Colbert, 4/21 and Ross Frew, 3/9, were the pick of the bowlers for the Colts.
The Colts are 4/127 at stumps with Dylan Arnott and Ross Frew unbeaten on 28 and 4 respectively. Kevin Purchase scored 49 opening the batting.
They will most likely bat for a bit and call the match off rather than trying to win outright.
In the other match at Minyip Recreation Reserve, the Panthers are in the box seat against Homers posting 9/301.
It was an evenly spread batting performance with Nicholas Hudson top scoring with 55 and Clinton Midgley, 46, Daniel Schaper, 43 and Brent Hudson, 45 all doing well.
Matthew Kerr finished with brilliant figures of 4/53 off 12 overs for the Homers.
C-GRADE FINALS BEGIN
Lubeck Murtoa enter the Horsham Cricket Association C-Grade finals undefeated following a 96-run win over the Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park on Saturday.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat they made 5/216 off their 40 overs with William Gellatly and Phillip Yew both scoring 50.
In response, an unbeaten 35 from Kingsley Dalgleish and a cameo of 42 from Muhammad Hassaan Masood wasn't enough as they finished with 9/122. William Gellatly was a clear man of the match finishing with figures of 4/10 off seven hours.
They will now host Natimuk at the Murtoa Recreation Reserve Saturday in a qualifying final.
Natimuk enter the finals following a thrilling four-run win against the Colts at Dudley Cornell Park.
After bowling first, the Colts bowled Natimuk out for 126 with Jay Couch claiming 4/6 off five overs. Jeremy Schmidt was the top-scorer for Natimuk with 54.
Dean Arnott, 30, and Liam James, 26 were the top scorers for the Colts as they finished on 9/122 after their 40 overs. Alex Baker was the pick of the Natimuk bowlers with 3/18.
The Colts now play Laharum in an elimination final at Dudley Cornell Park.
Laharum secured their spot in the finals with a 105 win over Tigers at Cameron Oval. Josh Hutchinson continued his brilliant form, scoring 84 as they posted 5/213. Callum Jackson was the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers with 2/23.
In reply, the Tigers made 8/108 with Ash Britton top-scoring with 37. Matthew Whelan took 3/12 to go with his 34* in a man-of-the-match performance.
Blackheath Dimboola cricketer Maya Schorback has starred in the Bulls massive seven-wicket win over the Homers at the Dimboola Recreation Reserve.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Bulls charged at the Homers with the 15-year-old leg spinner claiming figures of 6/25 off her eight overs which featured on maiden to bowl the Homers out for 134.
In reply, Albert Schorback remained unbeaten on 38 continuing his late-season form with the bat with Darren Sexton, 33, and Logan Krelle, 31 also contributing as they chased the total down in the 21st over finishing with 3/135.
Maya Schorback said it felt good.
"It feels pretty good. That is the best figures of my career with the previous best being 5/2 in girls' cricket," Schorback said.
Lily Schorback, 0/24, Isobelle Schorback, 0/6, Edward Schorback, 0/18 and Albert Schorback, 1/23 all did well.
The win was the second of the season for the Bulls.