RSL will face another tough battle when they duke it out with Swan Hill in the second round of the Swan Hill and District Cricket Association (SHDCA).
The two cricket clubs have been consistent performers in the past few years, with the side’s fighting out a grand final which Swan Hill won a few seasons back, and both are looking to get back to their best form.
As the competition hots up, Swan Hill know the importance of taking big wins against clubs like RSL, as both sides are expected to be at the business end of the season.
Swan Hill Cricket Club president Alan Hatcher said he was excited for the match but understood the need to get the points.
“We lost our first game and we really want to get one win on the board nice and early,” he said.
“Our biggest let down last week was our fielding. I would say we need to pick it up to go well. It really cost us in the end against St Mary’s Tyntynder.
“We had made enough runs but our fielding didn’t help… we are pretty keen and raring to go and they had a good win over Nyah District, so it will be tough.”
In a boost to the Swan Hill side, 2015-16’s SHDCA Player of the Year, Mark Thompson, is expected to make his return into the line-up on Saturday.
While RSL fell to St Mary’s Tyntynder, RSL took a strong win over Nyah District in just 30 overs.
The dominant performance against the defending premiers will send a warning shot to the rest of the competition.
RSL coach Stuart Patterson said this will be another good test against a yard stick of the competition.
“We went well last weekend, our structures were in place and worked really well,” he said.
“We couldn’t really fault anyone from last weekend, we bowled well, only a few extras got through and the batsmen fired as well.
“We always look forward to playing Swan Hill, they are always a top side and it is always highly contested.”
