Sport
5 March, 2024
Bulls end season on high
Blackheath Dimboola have ended their A Grade Horsham Cricket Association Season on a winning note defeating Laharum by 65 runs at Dimboola Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sam Leith was his consistent self getting the Bulls off to a good start with 31 runs. When he was dismissed caught by Harrison Hoffmann off the bowling of Joel Pymer, Nathan Schorback led the way with an unbeaten 77. With help from Elliott Braithwaite, 26, they scored 9/194 off their 45 overs.
Jackson Hoffmann was the pick of the bowlers for Laharum with 3/36.
In reply, Archer Laverty and Jake McLean bowled tight for the Bulls which put pressure on Laharum. Daniel Griffiths, 39 and Max Bunworth, 38 were the ones to show resistance, but the Bulls' bowling was too good led by McLean with 3/12. Edward Schorback was also brilliant taking 2/5.
Bulls captain Sam Leith said the signs are there. With Albert Schorback ending the year strong and 10-year-old Edward taking two wickets, the future is bright.
"Edward is going to be a star. He has a great bowling action already and can swing the ball. Albert has also got potential with the bat. In five years from now, having them both is exciting," Leith said.
"I am content at where we are. I knew availability was always going to be a problem at the start of the season, but when you have young kids coming through like the Schorbacks as well as Max Spokes and Archer Laverty to name a few, the future is bright."
"Both sides were undermanned in terms of firepower but Nathan controlled the innings and set the game up which was great.
At Sunnyside, Homers ended the season on top of the ladder with a comfortable 151-run victory over the Saints. After posting 247 on day one, on Saturday they came out firing with Baxter Perry, 4/23 and Oliver Potter, 3/20 instrumental in bowling the Saints out for 96. Dezi Carter was the Saints' top batsman with an unbeaten 38.
At Horsham City Oval, the Tigers easily chased down the target of 195 set by the Bullants, declaring at 9/225. Prabath Bandara struck an impressive 93 whilst Matthew Combe was the pick of the Bullants bowlers with 2/28.
At Murtoa Recreation Reserve there was controversy. Lubeck Murtoa bowled West Wimmera out for 121 after resuming at 6/60. Mitchell Dahlenburg, 22, and Jeremy Weeks, with an unbeaten 11 tried hard, but an attack led by Blake Turner, 3/30 and Nic Ballagh, 5/39 was too good.
The controversy happened after the match. The Mudlarks wanted to go to Rupanyup to cheer on the C Grade in their preliminary final against Natimuk. West Wimmera wanted to bowl as they thought they would win outright. In the end, despite getting the points, the Mudlarks decided supporting their C Graders was a top priority and forfeited the match.
Week one of the finals will see Homers play the Tigers and West Wimmera to host the Bullants.