Sport
7 February, 2024
Millar and Dickinson hit centuries
Logan Millar and Jobe Dickinson both hit centuries for Homers and West Wimmera respectively, whilst Nic Ballagh claimed five wickets for Lubeck Murtoa to conclude round ten of the Horsham Cricket Association.
Dimboola avoided an outright defeat the hands of the Homers. Resuming with Homers on 2/136 with Logan Millar on 47 and Adam Atwood on 13 after being bowled out for 115, they needed early wickets to try and avoid an outright defeat.
Millar and Atwood had other ideas forming an 186 run partnership with Millar scoring his second century of the season.
When both fell, Luke Duetscher 58 (28) provided fireworks alongside Chaminda Gamage, 28 (21) to guide them to 350 after their 75 overs.
Max Spokes was the bright spark for the Bulls taking 2/16 (5). Jake McLean 2/114 was the other multiple wicket-taker for the Bulls.
In reply, Archer Laverty, 37 and Nathan Schorback, 30*, both battled hard and the Homers were led by Adam Atwood, 4/50 and Chaminda Gamage, 3/26.
Logan Millar's 129 was not only his second century this season, but also in his career, both at the same ground. He was ecstatic after the innings.
"I love playing here. The outfield is fast and it's a bit of a road which is good to bat on," he said.
"It feels unreal. To get one earlier in the season and another one now tops it off well.
"I am just trying to go in and face as many balls as I can and then accelerate a bit more so want to try and do that every game."
At Davis Park, an unbeaten century to Jobe Dickinson led West Wimmera to a victory over the Tigers.
Set a target of 227, the Warriors chased it down in the 54th over. Dickinson, 116*, and Liam Preston, 42*, batted well alongside the consistent Bradley Alexander, 57. Prabath Bandara was the sole wicket-taker for the Tigers.
At Murtoa Recreation Reserve, a five-wicket haul to Nic Ballagh has led the Mudlarks to a win over Laharum.
After setting a target of 126, Laharum resumed the day at 0/4 but Ballagh, 5/33 and Thomas Barrand, 3/17 ripped through Laharum's batting order to bowl them out for 88 in the 44th over. Max Bunworth top-scored with 26.
Mudlark's C-Grade captain Phillip Yew said it was good to see Ballagh bowling well.
"He missed the first half of the season and to come back and see him take wickets is great. He is bowling really well at the moment," he said.
"It was also great to get a win. Hopefully they can end the year well and we can build on something for next season."
In the other match, the Bullants comfortably defeated the Horsham Saints at Horsham City Oval.
The Saints started the day at 4/23 and were quickly bowled out for 81 thanks largely to Matthew Combe taking a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/33.
In their second innings, they scored 5/105 with Garrett Liston remaining unbeaten on 63* where they decided to call the match off.
Combe said it was a great result.
"The win was good. We are starting to get a few players back, " he said.
"The ball was swinging and doing enough and it was good to get five wickets. Today was our best bowling performance all year in great batting conditions.
"I said to the boys we need to take early wickets to win and we managed that. Kobi Lang and Jordan McDonald bowled well."
In round 11, Homers and Warriors to play off at Davis Park, Bullants host Laharum at Noradjuha Recreation Reserve, Horsham Saints host Blackheath Dimboola at Coughlin Park and Tigers face Lubeck Murtoa at City Oval.
in C-Grade cricket, Lubeck Murtoa has moved into premiership favourtism after an 87-run win over Natimuk at Lubeck Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
After winning the toss and batting, they scored 177 with Cameron Newell top scoring with 36. Jason Frost, 4/11, and Seth Callaby, 4/9, led the way with the ball as they bowled Natimuk out for 90. Ben Garwood top scored with 41.
Mudlark's captain Phillip Yew said he can't remember the last time they were undefeated.
"We had a good day and I don't remember a time when C-Grade has been undefeated this long into the season," he said.
"We had a good batting plan going into it and young players playing specific roles. Seth Callaby was a surprise taking four wickets. He has changed his bowling action to bowl quicker and he bowled well.
"It was good to see the A-Graders coming out to watch us after their win and that night we had a successful trivia night raising money for new cricket nets, so it was a great day for the club."