Sport
18 October, 2023
Hat-Trick to Josh Mahoney nearly gets Laharum home
A hat-trick to Josh Mahoney late in the match wasn't enough for Laharum with the Tigers winning by 1 wicket in a thriller at Cameron Oval on Saturday. Laharum scored 7/202 in their 45 overs with Daniel Griffiths hitting an unbeaten 58 off 71 balls...
A hat-trick to Josh Mahoney late in the match wasn't enough for Laharum with the Tigers winning by 1 wicket in a thriller at Cameron Oval on Saturday.
Laharum scored 7/202 in their 45 overs with Daniel Griffiths hitting an unbeaten 58 off 71 balls. They got off to a good start with both openers, Dayan Wilfred and Sean Wouters scoring 33 and 30 respectively.
Tigers captain Tyler Puls ran out Wilfred to have Laharum 1/93 and then a flurry of wickets fell with Puls claiming 4 wickets in the space of 30 minutes to have the home side at 6/126. Aiding Griffiths to put up a respectable total was Jackson Hoffmann with 13 off 40 balls coupled with an unbeaten knock of 16 by Joel Pymer. Puls finished with figures of 4/17 off his 9 overs.
In the chase the Tigers got off to a flyer through Brenton Hallam and Chris Hauselberger. Hallam scored a brisk 42 off 34 balls with five boundaries before falling to an outstanding outfield catch by Jackson Hoffmann.
When Hauselberger fell on 39 they were 2/94 and with Angus Adams set at the crease, they were in a good position and were cruising to victory until Max Bunworth ran out Prabath Bandara to give Laharum hope at 6/183.
With Puls still in, he was the big wicket and when Bunworth caught him off Mahoney's bowling, they were 7/198. Mahoney then clean bowled Lachlan McGinniss and Nigel Binney to take a hatrick and had the Tigers 9/198 with 8 balls left.
Recruit Dom Rose held firm and got the Tigers over the line hitting 5 runs in the last over to remain unbeaten on 14 off 12 balls.
Tigers captain Tyler Puls was happy with the win.
"It's a great way to start the year. It is not ideal to lose as many wickets at the end like we did, but to get over the line that way is great," he said.
"It was great for Hallam and Hauselberger to get us off to a flying start. They kept the runs coming and waited for the bad balls and put them away. They saw off the new ball which was important."
"Dom came in at the end and pushed us over the line in his debut for the club which was pleasing to see," he concluded.
Josh Mahoney said there was a little bit of rust but said it was good to be out there again.
"It was good to get back together and having a good time. The boys were enjoying themselves. Unfortunately we couldn't finish it off but that's cricket and it was a great match" he said.
"It's round one and we are working things out. We are working out who bowls when to make the most out of everyone's skills. We all contributed and just let ourselves down at different stages of the match."
Mahoney said no one was focused on the hat-trick.
"A lot of players didn't realise it was a hat-trick as we were all mentally focused on getting back into the game," he said.
The youth of Max Bunworth as well as Jackson and Harrison Hoffmann in the field and with the ball was a massive highlight for Laharum.
"It's the beauty of having young players - their athleticism. They may not have developed their battling and bowling to A-Grade yet, but they are making it up in the field. They saved us some runs. They all took a catch and Max was involved in a run out which was pleasing to see," Mahoney explained.
The Homers had a comfortable 8 wicket victory over the Bullants at Noradjuha Recreation Reserve.
The Bullants scored 8/174 with Troy Dumesny the star with 80 off 105 balls. They lost two quick wickets early and were 2/9 but with Shane Oakley scoring 29, they rebuilt their innings.
Logan Miller was the best of the Homers bowlers with figures of 2/21 off his 9 overs.
In the chase Patrick Mills (84) and Logan Miller (58*) guided them home. Heath Lang was the best bowler for the Bullants taking 1/29 off his 7 overs. Jack Combe was the other wicket taker.
Homer's captain Adam Atwood said it was a great way to start the year.
"We have a young team and it was the first game of the season and I am happy with how everyone performed," Atwood said.
"Logan got the first two wickets quickly and opened the game up early for us. Baxter Perry opened the bowling and did well and was unlucky not to get a wicket.
"In the chase Patty was unreal. The boys got to the drinks break 1 down which was important and after that we picked up the pace and were able to cruise to the end."
When asked about the young team and how they had 8 different bowlers Atwood said it was important to get everyone involved.
"We will share the bowling around to develop the kids. For example it was Oliver Potter's first A-Grade game and we wanted to get overs into him early and he bowled well," he said.
"The young boys did it with the bat and ball and that's pleasing. Those guys have to take more responsibility to take our club forward."
Bullants President Garrett Liston said they took a lot of positives out of the match highlighting the young players.
"Jack Combe got his first wicket in A-Grade and Angus Slatter had his first bowl," he said.
"We were pleased with the batting. The middle order supported Troy well and Jack Combe and Angus Slatter spent some time in the middle, which was good to see.
"In our bowling early on we created opportunities but didn't take them. At the end of the day that allowed them to settle and once they were in we didn't have it. They are a good side and to be not far away with significant players missing we are happy."
West Wimmera started their title defence with a 4 wicket win over the Horsham Saints.
The Horsham Saints put up a competitive total. Led by captain Gary Davidson with 91 off 148 balls, they posted 9/180. Mark Crafter was their other high scorer with 35 off 32. They combined for a 63 run opening partnership.
Bradley Alexander was the pick of the bowlers for West Wimmera taking 4/22 off his 9 overs.
The Tigers had West Wimmera at 6/140 but an unbeaten 34 from Trevor Polkinghorne guided them home. Nathan Alexander (35) and Brad Alexander (28) helped set up the chase.
Ben Sawyer was involved in 4 of the 6 dismissals with best figures of 3/28 off his 9 overs.
Gary Davidson was pleased with their performance against the quality outfit.
"We did a good job to get 180 against them. They have a strong bowling attack and we are pleased that we were able to conjure that score," Davidson said.
"We hung in there. We gave ourselves a chance right until the end. We needed 4 wickets and they needed 40 runs. Unfortunately we couldn't break through that last partnership - they batted well."
Davidson also praised some of his players.
"Ben Sawyer bowled consistently well. He asked a lot of questions with his swingers and with Jono Carrol they were the threatening bowlers on the day," he explained.
"Mark Crafter at the top of the order too was great. He got us off to a good start and took the pressure off to enable us to score quickly."
The game between Lubeck-Murtoa and Blackheath Dimboola was cancelled due to the ground not being ready and no other alternative grounds available.
