ST Mary’s Tyntynder will step out for the first time in 2023 when they host a resurgent RSL on Saturday.
The Blues have hit the new year running, with two wins over Swan Hill in as many weeks – but while Ben Hallam’s men will be full of confidence, the ladder leaders will undoubtedly pose a much sterner test.
While the Saints will go into Saturday’s encounter as warm favourites, RSL will fancy their chances of an upset now the season has reverted to the longer format of the game – which has traditionally suited their game style.
Openers Ryan Hinton and Hallam will need to continue their good form, with the pair sharing a couple of 79-run partnerships in recent weeks and giving the middle order the perfect platform.
They’ll be facing the competition’s No. 1 bowling attack however, with the Saints regarded as the most economical team with the ball in the limited overs format.
Much of that form is down to their depth, with not only Corey Daniels and skipper Nathaniel Holmes-Brown capable of ripping through an opposition batting line-up, but also first change bowlers Robin Sebastian, Charlie King and Austin McKerrow.
All eyes will be on the return of St Mary’s Tyntynder favourite son Jonty Chaproniere, who has returned to his home club after a stint in South Australia.
The classy top order batsman’s return will only enhance an already formidable batting line-up – with the only question being where he slots in to an order that already contains Jack Shannahan, Jake Foster, Bailey Codling and the Daniels brothers.
While an upset isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, the Blues will need a lot to go their way against this year’s premiership favourites.
Nyah District v Woorinen
WOORINEN will be looking to climb into the top four when they travel to Nyah to face the Demons in a grand final rematch.
The Tigers have had a disappointing couple of weeks since the Christmas break, with a pair of losses to Ultima-TUF leaving them in fifth on the A Grade ladder.
They are a much better side than current form suggests though, with their best cricket more than capable of matching it with the better teams – including Nyah District.
Making the task harder will be the unavailability of opening bowlers Guri Singh and Robert Rush, which could leave their bowling attack vulnerable against a talented Demons top order of Joel Walsh, Dean Harrop, Charlie Boulton and Josh Domaille.
Walsh in particular has been in devastating form with both bat and ball of late and looms as the danger man.
The Tigers are very aware of the Demon all-rounder’s capabilities with the bat – especially after his 31-ball unbeaten 82 when the teams last met.
While Walsh is one of the most destructive batsmen in the league, so too is Woorinen’s Cooper Fox, who is in career-best form, having scored 320 runs at an average of 40 across all formats this season.
The Tigers’ big strength has been their ability to score in recent weeks, with Dylan Smythe, Darren Rushton and Jason Mangiameli also finding form with the bat post the break.
With the inclusion of Drew Lloyd giving the Demons a full squad to choose from and with Woorinen desperate to return to the winners list, the scene is set for yet another classic encounter between the two long-time rivals.
Ultima-TUF v Swan Hill
THE in-form Ultima-TUF will be looking to make it three wins on the trot when they host Swan Hill.
The Roodogs currently find themselves inside the top four – and a win against the lowly Swans could go a long way towards playing finals for the first time in 13 seasons.
Swan Hill find themselves on the bottom of the ladder and while they are a team on the improve, they still have a considerable way to go.
They have gone from a team prone to weekly battling collapses, to as of last week a side batting out their overs.
The challenge now though is to put a defendable score on the board and to score at a quicker rate through the early overs than in last week’s loss to RSL.
Lachlan Edwards was the hero of their innings last Saturday, blasting 85 runs from 97 balls – but it wasn’t enough to put a big enough score on the board.
Ultima-TUF had no such issues in their run chase against the Tigers, with their top order of Kyle Symons (52), Josh Waldron (39) and Ben Shepherd (30) all getting starts and scoring at a solid pace.
The Roodogs’ attacking nature and deep batting line-up should see them post a competitive score – it’s more of a question as to whether they have the bowling depth to match it with the leading sides.
Jordan King is a quality opening bowler – as is Josh Waldron – while Cassidy Sibley has quickly developed into a highly dependable off spinner for the Roodogs.
While Ultima-TUF should have enough weapons to get the six points on Saturday, the real test for their season – and their finals credentials – is still to come.
