RSL v ST MARY’S TYNTYNDER
A RESURGENT RSL will be looking to secure their third straight win when they host an out-of-form St Mary’s Tyntynder Saturday afternoon.
Wins against Ultima TUF and Wandella in recent weeks has the Blues banging on the door of the top four and still in the hunt for the Kookaburra Cup, although they need other results to go their way.
The Bulldogs on the other hand are out of the race for one-day honours, having started the season slowly with just one win from their first four matches.
Having been one of the SHDCA’s yardsticks for the best part of a decade, it’s a position that St Mary’s Tyntynder is unaccustomed too, but one that can quickly change should the form of several key players turn around.
Riley Daniels has been the only shining light with the bat so far for the Bulldogs, scoring 109 runs at an average of just over 33.
Although Daniels was dismissed for one last Saturday, there were positive signs from key batters Jake Foster (38 runs from 28 balls), Austin McKerrow (40 runs) and Connor Power (30 runs) that their form has turned the corner.
RSL have long had a strong top order, but their two wins this season have both come from dominant performances with the ball, having bowled both the Roodogs and Bombers out in less than 30 overs in the past fortnight.
Oscar Hier and Brenton Gurnett were the chief wicket takers last Saturday, with Pat Caldwell taking five wickets against Ultima TUF a week earlier and if that trio, along with Brenton Caldwell and Mitch Hinton can maintain their form, the Blues should keep their Kookaburra Cup hopes alive.
WANDELLA v BARHAM KOONDROOK
ANYTHING less than a win will bundle Barham Koondrook out of Kookaburra Cup grand final contention when the Raiders face old Northern District rivals Wandella at Riverside Park.
After being one of the form teams this summer, the Raiders loss to Woorinen last Saturday dropped them to third on the one-day ladder,
With the bye to come next week, this Saturday is Barham Koondrook’s last opportunity to press their claims.
Although the Bombers currently find themselves on the bottom of the SHDCA A Grade ladder, they are also a far better team than their form would suggest and should pose a significant test to the Raiders at their best.
The challenge is how far off their best Wandella are, especially with the bat, having been bowled out three times with a highest score of 126 and twice dismissed for less than 100.
Barham Koondrook have had no such issues reaching three figures, having scored 100 or more in each of their first five games, with Garry Lolicato among the league’s leading run scorers with 175 runs at an average of 43.75 this season.
If Lolicato, along with brother Warren, Lachlan Laursen and Kynan Laursen are able to post a score of 150-plus, it could prove to be a chase too hard for Wandella, even on the Riverside Park surface they know so well.
