WOORINEN comes up against RSL in the highlight of Swan Hill District Cricket Association Round 5 action starting tomorrow.
It will be interesting to see how the Tigers batting fares, with Woorinen not pushed to make a big total thanks to a dominant display from its bowlers against Ultima TUF in Round 4.
In other games, Swan Hill hosts Nyah District and St Mary’s Tyntynder hosts Ultima TUF.
Woorinen v RSL
WOORINEN faces a tougher challenge on the back of its first outright win of the summer against Ultima TUF last week.
The Tigers host an RSL that will be keen to get back on the winners’ list after going down to Swan Hill last Saturday.
Glenn Violi’s side was way too strong for Ultima TUF but the Tigers’ batting was never seriously tested.
It will be a different story against RSL. Blues quick Duane Bruton hit some serious form with 4-26 off 14 overs against Swan Hill.
Pat Caldwell, Brenton Caldwell and Jack Cook all chipped in for a wicket as well, although it wasn’t enough to prevent Swan Hill from surpassing the smallish total set the week before.
Woorinen declared its first innings closed at 3-142. The Tigers had plenty in the tank, too, with captain Glenn Violi and former premiership captain Dean Morpeth remaining on the sidelines.
They will hope to make a significant contribution to Woorinen’s total this time around.
If the Tigers’ batting holds up, Woorinen will be a big chance for a win at home. The Tigers face a far greater challenge than last week, though.
Swan Hill v Nyah District
BOTH Swan Hill and Nyah District flexed their muscle with the bat last week but only the Swans came away with the points.
Nyah were chasing a massive 301 set by St Mary’s Tyntynder and gave it a fair shake, while the Swans were after a much more modest 125.
Shane Fleming led the way with 73 for the Demons, with Kent Wooding (34), Jacob Lister (29) and Justin Toomey (25) all chipping in for valuable contributions.
The Dees didn’t capitulate in the face of a big run chase but 301 proved to be a bridge just too far.
The Swans celebrated after Daniel Cruickshank’s 80 and Kane Griffiths’ 57 got them home in a relatively comfortable reply to RSL’s 125.
Swan Hill lost seven wickets, batting out 50 overs and notching up 174.
Alan Hatcher (four wickets against RSL) and Matt Lanigan (three) will be crucial with the ball for the Swans, while Josh Wooding, Nathan Leane and Brad Jones all managed two wickets against St Mary’s.
St Mary’s Tyntynder v Ultima TUF
ST MARY’S Tyntynder will push for its first outright win of the summer over Ultima TUF from tomorrow.
In a tighter A grade competition, the Saints are already emerging as the season’s dominant force.
Ultima TUF has struggled so far, enduring a tough day with the bat on day one of Round 4 against Woorinen.
The RooDogs will look for to dig in a bit more against the Saints and hopefully prevent an outright defeat, but St Mary’s will be favoured for a big win.
