WITH just three games across the league this weekend and temperatures set to soar, Swan Hill District Cricket Association round 16 is bound to turn up the heat.
RSL will look to turn the tide when they meet Woorinen, one of the league’s in-form line-ups.
Woorinen have piled on the runs in recent weeks, largely thanks to Darren Rushton, who made an unbeaten 55 last weekend after a whirlwind 94-run innings the previous game.
But the Tigers’ top order all have the capability to turn an innings on its head.
Rushton, Dean Morpeth and Stefan and Jason Mangiameli have all surpassed the 60-run mark this year.
All-rounder Gurmander Singh has proven to be a real asset for the Tigers with bat or ball, but is at his best when sending down fireballs to batsmen.
Paired with Rushton and Robert Rush, Woorinen’s bowling attack can rip through a game in an instant.
RSL captain Ben Hallam said his side were aware of the threats posed by their upcoming opposition.
“It seems like Woorinen are just hitting their straps at the right time of the year,” he said.
“Based on their last few performances, they’re proving to be a pretty dangerous side.
“They’ve got a couple of really handy batsman who are having a fantastic season,
“Cooper Fox hits the ball really hard, Darren Rushton is having another really good season, and then there are the Mangiameli brothers as well.”
It’s been a tough start to 2024 for the Blues, who are still hunting their first win of the year, having lost to Wandella and Nyah District since the return of the one-day format.
The loss streak is at five one-dayers, after they won their three opening games against Murrabit, Ultima TUF and Swan Hill.
But in most losses RSL have remained competitive, a testament to the experience and talent that the side possesses.
Paul Munro has proven to be a thorn in the side of opposition bowlers, consistently protecting his wicket and accumulating runs whether at No.3, No.4 or even opening.
The opening pair of skipper Ben Hallam and Ryan Hinton have also been key for the Blues.
Hallam said his side had been without key players, but that allowed his side to blood some youth.
“Since Christmas, we haven’t been able to put a full side out on the park,” he said.
“We had nine of our XI out for the first T20 back this season, but we’ve slowly been getting one or two back since.
“We know that once we get our best team back out on the park, we are going to be really competitive.
“Until we can do so, we will continue to give young blokes the experience and exposure to A Grade.”
Oscar Hier and Lleyton Purcell have been two of those young stars with the ball, but Hallam said it was the young man behind the stumps impressing most.
“(Kynan) Laursen has been massive for us this season,” he said.
“He has taken over the wicketkeeping duties for us this year.
“We’ve given Ryan Hinton a bit of a break from wicketkeeping and Ky has been really impressive.”
Elsewhere, St Mary’s Tyntynder will be looking to quickly put their long weekend games behind them, after a big loss at the hands of the Tigers.
The Bulldogs were dismissed for just 93 runs off 27 overs, thanks to a Rushton bowling blitz, a day after defeat in the Kookaburra Cup final.
They face Murrabit, who are also chasing a return to form after a big loss at the hands of Nyah District.
Nyah will be full of confidence when they come up against last-placed Swan Hill at the Showgrounds.
