RSL might have set a relatively modest total last week but it will be with some justified confidence that the Blues look to defend 125 against Swan Hill tomorrow.
At the top of the list of reasons why the home side is a chance to claim first innings points against the Swans is the form of bowlers Pat Caldwell and Craig Fletcher.
Incredibly, Caldwell and Fletcher claimed what will surely remain the summer’s only hat-tricks on consecutive weeks in Rounds 2 and 3.
Caldwell scored his second hat-trick when he trapped Sean White lbw in Round 2 against St Mary’s Tyntynder.
The thinking when standing at the top of his run-up for the third ball remained the same though, he said.
“You’re just thinking don’t bowl a wide, make them play a shot,” Caldwell said.
“It’s still a good feeling after the game to get one.”
For Fletcher though, the feeling was a totally new one when he dismissed Jayden Kiel lbw to end the Round 3 game against Ultima TUF.
“I was pretty stoked. It’s only taken me 25 years to get one,” he laughed.
One teammate was particularly helpful, Fletcher said.
“Stuie Patterson took a catch and then got a stumping. We shouted each other a few beers that night.”
Both bowlers think the Blues are a show tomorrow against the Swans.
“When you have runs on the board you just want to bowl a good line and length and see what happens,” Caldwell said.
Fletcher added that the Blues’ fielding gave the bowlers confidence.
He said efforts in the field had been as good as what the Blues had produced in recent seasons.
“You’re always in with a chance if you’re fielding really well,” Fletcher said.
“And our bowling in partnerships has been better than what I’ve seen us do in a long time.”
For this week’s Round 4 previews, see Friday’s edition of The Guardian (November 7, 2014).
