Both Blackheath-Dimboola cricket teams are priming themselves for a crack a the finals, with the B grade team in a comfortable position after day one of a two day game against Colts, and the C grade team enjoying another win, this time against Colts.
B Grade
In the clash between teams one and two on the ladder, the Blackheath-Dimboola Bulls ended the first day in a strong position, having dismissed the current leaders, Colts, for just 154.
Only four bowlers were required, and although Brodie Cramer returned the best figures with four wickets, he had plenty of help from Robert Sommers with three, Dwayne McDonald with two and Harry Young one.
The Bulls’ opening batsmen then had to negotiate a tricky two overs at the end of the day, but did to successfully and finished with two runs without the loss of any wickets.
Blackheath-Dimboola went into this game, the last of the home and away rounds, just one point behind Colts, meaning that the winner of this game will go into the finals with the title of minor premiers, and the psychological advantage in the likely event that they meet in the grand final.
C Grade
The C grade Bulls will go into their last home and away round in ominous form after dismissing Colts for less than 100 on Saturday and needing just 13 overs to score the runs for their eighth win for the season.
Jung Tigers took the opportunity to bat first, but the Blackheath-Dimboola bowlers did not let any of their batsmen get settled, and wickets were shared around between five bowlers.
The best bowling figures belonged to Darren Sexton who took four for 10 off six overs and Malcolm Barry took two for 21 off six overs, with the remaining three wickets shared between Michael Henderson, Michael Polycarpou and Philip Merrett who took one each.
Although the innings lasted 37 overs, the Tigers only had 90 runs on the board when their last wicket fell.
The reply was swift, requiring only 13 overs to score 100 runs for the loss of four wickets.
Michael Henderson led the scoring with 39, but had plenty of help from Chris Hauselberger who retired not out on 23 and not out scores of 14 by Luke Hutchinson and 12 by Archie Watt.
With only one home and away game remaining, the team is now assured of finishing in third place on the ladder.
Next week Homers, the team just above Blackheath-Dimboola on the ladder, will visit the Les Howland Oval, in a perfect opportunity for one team to gain an advantage over a possible finals opponent.
Horsham Cricket Association - B Grade
Colts Innings
| DB Arnott | | b. H Young | 45
| | N Keel | ct. T McGough | b. D McDonald | 8
| | T Fischer | | b. B Cramer | 20
| | B Millar | | b. R Sommers | 22
| | L Jakobi | ct. D Polack | b. B Cramer | 0
| | DF Arnott | | b. B Cramer | 0
| | R Frew | ct. S Polack | b. B Cramer | 6
| | D Boddi | ct. B Cramer | b. R Sommers | 4
| | M Thomas | lbw | b. R Sommers | 6
| | J Couch | | b. D McDonald | 31
| | D Carmody | not out | | 5
| | Sundries | | | 7
| | TOTAL | | 154
|
Blackheath-Dimboola Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | R Sommers | 20 | 3 | 45 | 3
| | D McDonald | 20 | 6 | 34 | 2
| | H Young | 13 | 2 | 32 | 1
| | B Cramer | 12 | 3 | 42 | 4
|
Blackheath-Dimboola Innings
| H Young | not out | | 1
| | T McGough | not out | | 0
| | Sundries | | | 1
| | TOTAL | | 0 for 2
|
Colts Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | T Brand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0
| | M Cummins | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
|
Horsham Cricket Association - C Grade
Jung Tigers Innings
| L Jackman | ct. P Merrett | b. M Barry | 15
| | S Hallett | | b. D Sexton | 8
| | D Hobbs | lbs | b. D Sexton | 8
| | T Pohlner | ct. & | b. D Sexton | 2
| | L Mock | ct. M Polycarpou | b. D Sexton | 0
| | B Robinson | ct. J Laverty | b. M Barry | 15
| | C Emmerson | ct. D Sexton | b. M Polycarpou | 19
| | L Field | ct. C Campbell | b. P Merrett | 0
| | C Potter | ct. L Hutchinson | b. M Henderson | 5
| | T Pritchett | not out | | 6
| | J Potter | not out | | 1
| | Sundries | | | 11
| | TOTAL | | 90
|
Blackheath-Dimboola Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | M Henderson | 6 | 2 | 10 | 1
| | A Watt | 6 | 2 | 12 | 0
| | J Laverty | 6 | 0 | 23 | 0
| | M Polycarpou | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1
| | D Sexton | 6 | 2 | 10 | 4
| | M Barry | 6 | 0 | 21 | 2
| | P Merrett | 3 | 1 | 9 | 1
|
Blackheath-Dimboola Innings
| M Barry | | b. S Hallett | 0
| | C Hauselberger | retired (not out) | | 23
| | M Henderson | | b. C Potter | 39
| | C Campbell | ct. T Pohlner | b. T Pritchett | 6
| | L Hutchinson | not out | | 14
| | J Laverty | ct. B Robinson | b. T Pritchett | 1
| | A Watt | not out | | 12
| | Sundries | | | 5
| | TOTAL | | 4 for 100
|
Jung Tigers Bowling
| | O | M | R | W
| | D Couch | 3 | 1 | 22 | 0
| | J Zanker | 3 | 1 | 19 | 1
| | K Purchase | 3 | 0 | 24 | 1
| | D Newell | 2 | 0 | 14 | 2
| | D Collins | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0
| | J Offer | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0
|
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