Cricket
24 February, 2025
Warriors claim back to back premierships
The West Wimmera Warriors have successfully defended their one-day cricket crown in the Horsham Cricket Association's A-grade competition with a 48-run win over the Homers at Horsham City Oval on Sunday, February 23.
The Warriors won the toss and elected to bat, and Gibson Perry struck early for the Homers, dismissing Liam Preston and Mitchell Dahlenburg for ducks.
Brodie Cramer and Bradley Alexander rebuilt the innings, putting on a strong 78-run partnership to set the Warriors up for a good total.
Baxter Perry bowled well without success but finally made the breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Alexander for 49, who was caught at first slip by Adam Atwood.
Perry then took the prized wicket of Nathan Alexander not long after, caught by Luke Miller for eight. When Hugh Dougherty caught Brodie Cramer off Gibson Perry's bowling for 31, the Warriors were in trouble at 5/95.
Jobe Dickinson, 12, with help from Brett Jensz, 19 and Joshua Lees, 12, helped guide the Warriors to 140, where they were bowled out in the 44th over.
Gibson Perry ended up with figures of 4/18 (9), while Baxter Perry, 2/30 (9) and Chaminda Gamage, 2/22 (9) were the other multiple wicket-takers.
The Warriors' bowlers were on fire early, with only a small total to defend. Nathan Alexander, Jeremy Weeks, and Joshua Lees, who took two wickets, troubled the Homers as they fell to 4/17.
Luke Miller and Monty Wynne helped rebuild the Homers' innings, forming a solid 41-run partnership.
Jobe Dickinson then took the breakthrough wicket, bowling Miller for 35. Baxter Perry came to the crease and could only manage six runs before Dickinson struck again, trapping him in front for LBW.
When Wynne was brilliantly caught and bowled by Brad Alexander for 15, shortly after, the Homers found themselves at 7/68 with a long way to go.
Gibson Perry and Matthew Kerr batted well together but could only manage 12 runs before Nathan Alexander caught Kerr off Jobe Dickinson's bowling.
Perry dug deep and was the last wicket to fall, bowled by Brad Alexander for 14.
Jobe Dickinson was the pick of the Warriors bowlers with 3/18 (8). Nathan Alexander 2/9 (6), Joshua Lees 2/5 (6), and Brad Alexander 2/21 (8.1) also took multiple wickets.
Warriors captain Nathan Alexander said the partnership between Brad and Brodie was the difference in the end.
"We were in trouble early, and we knew that if we could get partnerships and get to a reasonable total, we could defend it, and that partnership made all the difference. They batted well.
"Halfway through the innings, we thought 160 would be a good score to defend and that if we got anywhere near that, we could be a good chance."
Alexander praised Cramer for backing up from his 75 the day before in day one of their two-day match against the Colts.
"Brodie is a really good compact cricketer with a good technique and is happy to bat all day," Alexander said.
"He is never rushed and never in a hurry, looks good, times the ball well, and is an excellent cricketer."
Alexander also praised the bowlers for bowling tight all day and getting them off to a good start.
"We all bowled nice and tight and made the Homers batsmen work hard, so I am pleased," Alexander said.
"They had that handy partnership, and Jobe was able to break it by doing what we asked him to do: banging it away in the channel all day, and he bowled well."
While Alexander said it's great to win a one-day premiership after missing out on the two-day last year, that is their big focus now.
"It's pleasing to win another premiership as we know that when we play the Homers, it's a good challenge, and it's pleasing to get the chocolates," Alexander said.
"The two-day premiership will be a massive goal this year, and we want to get that under the belt and aim for that."
Brad Alexander was named man of the match for his 49 runs and two wickets, finishing with 2/21 (8.1), featuring two maidens.
Other photos from the grand final are on pages 11 and 15.
