NYAH District have the opportunity to leapfrog St Mary’s Tyntynder when 50-over matches return in the Swan Hill & District Cricket Association on Saturday.
The Demons have the chance to jump to first spot on the one-day ladder because the Bulldogs, who just won the McDonald’s T20 competition, have the week off.
However, standing in the way of a fifth Demons one-day win this season are RSL, a team looking to stay in touching distance of the top four sides.
At three wins and three losses, RSL will be hoping for a change in fortunes from their round 6 clash with Nyah District.
The Blues were held to just 141 from their 40 overs in November, chased down in 23.3 overs thanks to 57-run performance from Joel Walsh.
RSL will be encouraged by the current form of their skipper Ben Hallam with the bat.
“I might be a little old-fashioned, but I love the longer games,” Hallam said.
“I grew up playing in the longer format every weekend, so I might just be a little biased.
“Having all three formats obviously appeals to so many guys, there are probably quite a few blokes who wouldn’t be able to get out and give you all of their Saturday to play a two-day game.
“But the shorter games ensure they are able to come down and have a bit of a hit in the shorter format.”
Hallam said the young Blues side had begun to gel in a way that allowed them to remain competitive against any opposition.
“Without putting the mockers on us or anything, I feel like the club is in a really strong position right now,” he said.
“Our younger fellas are now going out there no matter the situation, whether with bat or ball, and they’re much more equipped to handle whatever the opposition throws at them.
“In most of the games that we’ve lost this season, we’ve still remained pretty competitive throughout.
“I think that we’re starting to find ways to make sure that the games and the results go our way.”
Nyah District will be looking to quickly forget last Saturday’s T20 grand final loss.
Elsewhere, third-placed Wandella will return to their Riverside Park home against a Woorinen side who could cause a surprise result.
The Tigers have the capability to score runs at an astonishing rate, but have found it tough in their previous meetings with the Bombers.
While they have broken the 250-run mark twice this season, both in the first five rounds of the season, Woorinen only managed 114 the last time the teams met.
Wandella skipper Ryan Barnes starred in that game with figures of 4/16, but Woorinen will also be wary of the bowling attack containing Peter Moore and Ethan McKnight.
The Tigers will be looking to the top of their batting order, and hoping Darren Rushton, Dean Morpeth, Connor Fletcher and Cooper Fox continue to score big following their T20 performances.
Bottom-placed Swan Hill are still searching for their first win of any format for the season.
They will be aiming to break their duck against second-last Ultima TUF, whose only win has come against the Swans.
Runs from the middle of the line-up will be needed to support consistent run-makers Jacob Hatcher and Lachlan Edwards if the Swans are to change their fortunes and secure their first win.
Barham Koondrook will be full of confidence as they take on Murrabit away from home, following their strong win against RSL last weekend.
With four one-day wins to Murrabit’s two, Barham Koondrook will be hoping to add another and move themselves up the table.
