The Jeparit team has given itself a chance to seal a grand final berth next Saturday after they set the challenging total of 190 on the first day of their encounter with the ladder leading Nhill Tigers, whilst an undermanned Winiam team is still making Kiata work hard if they are to stay in touch with the competition leaders.
Jeparit 190 v. Nhill Tigers 0/0
The Jeparit batsmen were given the first chance to set a target in this top of the table clash and after a slow start were able to set a challenging total.
At 4 wickets down for 42 runs after 18 overs a big total was not looking likely but a 68 run fifth wicket partnership in the next 25 overs between Jeremy Preston (30) and Tim Inkster (29) steadied the innings and set the foundation for a flourish at the end.
The combination of Adrian King (36) and Steve Leach (24) added a further 57 runs for the eighth wicket.
The Redbacks were dismissed late in the day for 191, with sundries making the top score of 42 which included 24 wides and 13 no balls.
Ash Dickinson ended the innings with three wickets, as did L Smith.
The Nhill Tigers successfully negotiated the last two overs without the loss of any wickets, and the Jeparit bowlers and fielders were able to prevent any runs.
The game resumes at Davis Park in Nhill next Saturday with the Tigers needing 191 runs off 70 overs to take the points and gain an advantage over a potential grand final opponent.
If Jeparit can come out of this game with a win they will almost ensure a place in the final.
Sundries made the top score for Jeparit on the weekend with 42 which included 24 wides (above), although four other batsmen also made scores above 20 in their team total of 190. - Dimboola Courier photo
Winiam 166 v. Kiata 2/59
Despite having only eight player available, Winiam was able post the respectable target of 166 when they batted first in their game against Kiata at the Nhill College oval.
The innings was dominated by Jack Osborne who reached triple figures just before the last of his team mates were dismissed and he remained not out on 102.
Nathan Sparling achieved the next best individual score of 15.
The leading Kiata bowlers were Dylan Webb with 2 for 44 and Todd Alexander with 2 for 66.
In reply Kiata had reached 2 or 59 when stumps were called at the end of the first day, requiring a further 108 runs for a first innings victory.
Although they will only need to score at just over one and a half runs per over next week to achieve the win, it is often these small targets that prove to be the hardest reach.
Unfortunately the prospect for a close game may be spoiled depending upon the availability of players for both teams next week, but with both still in the running for a place in the final an entertaining day of cricket is assured.
Nhill HOME Hardwar West Wimmera Cricket Association Ladder - After 7 of 9 Rounds
| | Points | %
| | Nhill Tigers | 30 | 1.190
| | Jeparit | 24 | 1.016
| | Kiata | 18 | 1.012
| | Winiam | 12 | 0.756
|
Jeparit 190 v. Nhill Tigers 0/0
Jeparit First Innings
| B Keller | ct B Alexander | b. L Smith | 4
| | T James | ct L Smith | b. A Dickinson | 7
| | J Crowhurst | | b. L Smith | 11
| | M Preston | ct M Dahlenburg | b. L Smith | 5
| | J Prestion | ct R Dodds | b. A Dickinson | 30
| | T Inkster | lbw | b. L Dahlenburg | 29
| | A King | ct & | b. D Harris | 36
| | J Hutson | | b. L Dahlenburg | 0
| | S Leach | ct B Alexander | b. M Dahlenburg | 24
| | J Leach | | b. A Dickinson | 2
| | M Leach | not out | | 0
| | Sundries | | | 42
| | TOTAL | | 190
|
Nhill Tigers Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | A Dickinson | 14 | 2 | 33 | 3
| | L Dahlenburg | 9 | 1 | 27 | 2
| | L Smith | 14 | 3 | 35 | 3
| | D Harris | 7 | 1 | 22 | 1
| | M Dahlenburg | 11.3 | 1 | 36 | 1
| | S Kessler | 6 | 1 | 12 | 0
| | R Dodds | 5 | 1 | 19 | 0
| | S Smith | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
|
Nhill Tigers First Innings
| L Smith | not out | | 0
| | S Gusman | not out | | 1
| | Sundries | | | 3
| | TOTAL | | 0 for 0
|
Jeparit Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | J Crowhurst | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0
| | B Keller | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0
|
Winiam 166 v. Kiata 2/59
Winiam First Innings
| M Purchase | | b. D Webb | 11
| | J Gurry | run out | b. | 1
| | A Merrett | ct J Harding | b. T Alexander | 4
| | B Marra | | b. T Alexander | 8
| | J Osborne | not out | b. | 102
| | N Sparling | | b. J Lees | 15
| | J Muller | lbw | b. Shaun Alexander | 7
| | T Gebert | lbw | b. D Webb | 3
| | Sundries | | | 8
| | TOTAL | | 166
|
Kiata Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | J Lees | 11 | 3 | 19 | 1
| | J Cramer | 7 | 2 | 21 | 0
| | T Alexander | 14 | 1 | 66 | 2
| | D Webb | 8 | 1 | 44 | 2
| | Shaun Alexander | 5 | 0 | 16 | 1
|
Kiata First Innings
| J Lees | ct M Purchase | b. A Merrett | 22
| | D Webb | ct J Osborne | b. A Merrett | 0
| | T Alexander | not out | | 24
| | Shaun Alexander | not out | | 6
| | Sundries | | | 6
| | TOTAL | | 2 for 59
|
Winiam Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | J Osborne | 5 | 1 | 12 | 0
| | A Merrett | 7 | 1 | 18 | 2
| | J Gurry | 8 | 4 | 12 | 0
| | B Marra | 5 | 1 | 17 | 0
|
|
