Danger

Pigeons are shaping up

BY DEAN LAWSON

Homers will attempt to take winning momentum into the last of Horsham Cricket Association T20 games this weekend and announce itself as legitimate premiership contenders.

The Pigeons, fresh from a resounding victory over Rupanyup-Minyip, meet Jung Tigers at Horsham’s Sunnyside Oval in what looms as a pre-finals test.

Homers are fostering a newlook group of players and none were more influential last week than opener Luke Deutscher who clipped 79 from 48 balls at Minyip.

Deutscher’s knock, which included nine fours and four sixes, was the stand-out batting effort as the visitors made 2-131 in 16 overs to win the contest.

Chaminda Gamage also made 27 during the Homers innings.

Earlier, Rupanyup-Minyip had done well to post 5-130 with Jamie Byrne making 44 and Daniel Schaper an unbeaten 33.

Homers now meet a Jung Tigers side coming off a bye in a game that starts at 4pm.

The Tigers are searching for winning form, having lost their last two games.

MIXING IT UP:

BlackheathDimboola opening bowler Isobelle Schorback launches into her delivery stride during a Horsham Cricket Association C Grade clash against Horsham Saints Red. Schorback claimed 2-11 in her team’s win at Horsham’s Cornell Park. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Rupanyup-Minyip, meanwhile, is desperate for consistency and will hope to return to the winners’ list against West Wimmera, on Saturday.

The Blue Panthers just need to click as a team to be a dangerous week-to-week force and despite being at Minyip again will find West Wimmera hard to beat.

West Wimmera made its way to 9-95 in its 20 overs last week and was still in the game against top team Noradjuha-Toolondo until the final over.

James Philip for West Wimmera and Justtin Combe, Noradjuha-Toolondo, top-scored for their respective teams with 23 each in a low-scoring affair and bowlers shared the spoils.

The Bullants have a bye this week.

Four one-day rounds after this weekend will take the competition to the finals, opening the door for a return of a need for teams to have a greater depth in cricketing strategy. This week: Rupanyup-Minyip v West Wimmera at Minyip, Homers v Jung Tigers, Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants, bye. Last week: Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants 7-97 d West Wimmera 9-95, Homers 2-131 (L. Deutscher 79, C. Gamage 27no) d Rupanyup-Minyip 5-130 (J. Byrne 44, D. Schaper 33no), Ladder: Noradjuha-Toolondo Bullants 60 points, 1.57 percent; Homers 36, 1.05; Jung Tigers 36, 0.98; Rupanyup-Minyip 27, 0.66; West Wimmera 21, 0.88.

Caris joins Vixens

Former Horsham Saints netballer and current AFLW Melbourne Demons player Maggie Caris has joined a Melbourne Vixens netball squad after her selection in an Australian under-19s team.

Caris, 19, has officially signed on as a Melbourne Vixens squad member and training partner for the 2022 season.

Caris made her debut for Melbourne AFLW side earlier this year after her selection with pick 17 in a 2020 draft.

She was selected for the 2021-22 Australian Under 19s netball squad.

Caris said she felt both sports played ‘hand-inhand’ and her journey from Horsham Saints to Victorian Netball League ‘shaped her approach and understanding of elite sport’. “I’ve played netball for a long time, so I feel that helped me in the high-performance areas to transition across to football as well,” she said.

Caris said to be named as a Vixens training partner was an honour.

“It’s still crazy to sort of think about, to be named among them. I’m really proud of it. It’s going to be lots of hard work, I’m very honoured,” she said.

“I would love to play for Australia one day, but I feel like that is every little girl’s dream.

“Everyone sees them on TV and says, ‘wow they’re just such amazing athletes’. To be in the pathway, it’s a really special thing to be a part of. I feel like it kind of shows you that there is a way to get there.

“I think I’m just going to be working away at what I can do and what things I can control to make myself the best player and person possible.”

Netball Victoria’s Vixens performance and pathways general manager Rebekah Webster said she was ‘excited about what is to come’ for Caris, who joins returning squad member Gabby Coffey for the 2022 season.