BARHAM-KOONDROOK v WANDELLA
BARHAM-Koondrook will be aiming to lock away a semi final spot when they host former Northern Districts rivals Wandella Saturday afternoon.
A win on Saturday would move the Raiders into second spot on the ladder and at least six points clear of fifth, putting them in perfect position to claim a place in the top four despite having the bye in the final round next weekend.
A loss on the other hand could have serious ramifications however, with this season being one of the closest in memory with just six points separating second placed Woorinen and last placed St. Mary’s-Tyntynder.
Highlighting this point is Wandella, who following their shock loss to RSL last Saturday, have now fallen to fifth place having been regular fixtures in the top four for much of the season.
The Bombers’ Achilles heel all season has been their inability to post a winning score with the bat, and is the one area of their game they must quickly rectify if they are going to correct their season.
Flynn McKnight missed last Saturday’s loss and would be a welcome addition to the top of the order should he be available, with Daniel Higgs (34) and Bohden McKnight (30) also finding form.
But it will take a full team effort if Wandella are to counter Barham-Koondrook’s bowling attack, with Garry Lolicato (12 wickets), Chameera Akurugoda (nine wickets) and Jayden Hall (five wickets) all in-form with ball since the Christmas break.
The Raiders batting has also been a little inconsistent at times this season, although the move of Lolicato to the top of the order last weekend paid dividends, with his class and experience helping to settle the Raiders line-up.
NYAH DISTRICT v ULTIMA-TUF
ULTIMA-TUF’s season will be on the line when they travel to Nyah and face the reigning premiers in a must-win match Saturday afternoon.
Anything less than a win will see the Roodogs fall from the top four, with Wandella, RSL and St. Mary’s-Tyntynder all eyeing off fourth.
While beating the ladder leaders is no easy assignment, Ultima-TUF’s task will be made somewhat easier by the absence of Demons all-rounder Joel Walsh, who will miss Saturday’s match with injury.
Although the loss of Walsh will leave a big hole to fill, the reigning premiers have plenty of depth to call upon, with Ben Shadbolt, Max Thompson, Nash Richman and Cooper Andrews all capable of bowling extra overs.
Dean Harrop is expected to return for Nyah District and should slot back into the middle order in place of Walsh, but it will the wicket of SHDCA leading run scorer Charlie Boulton (532 runs @ 44.33) that Ultima-TUF will be seeking most.
The challenge for the Roodogs will lie with batting out their 50 overs, having been bowled out in all four of their red ball matches since Christmas.
At their best, Ultima-TUF are more than capable of matching it with the reigning premiers, as their win in the second round of the McDonald’s T20 competition earlier this season would prove, but they will need big games from key batters Lachlan Edwards, Kade Benfield, Kyle Symons and Mitchell Seton-Stewart.
