TOMORROW’S Northern District Cricket Association A Grade top of the table clash between Leitchville/Gunbower and Nondies will take on extra significance following last round’s results.
A ninth consecutive win during tomorrow’s match at Leitchville will secure the minor premiership for Leitchville/Gunbower, who currently hold a 23-point advantage over their Cohuna-based opponents.
Last weekend’s loss to Wandella impacted Nondies’ hopes of claiming top spot on the ladder, and another defeat tomorrow – as well as a Bombers’ victory at Riverside Park against Cohuna United – could see Wandella climb to second on the table with six rounds to go.
Nondies’ leading runs scorer and wicket taker, Jake Thrum, did not play last weekend, and his presence tomorrow will be critical to the Cohuna-based side’s chances.
If Thrum, Clayton Holmes and Josh Novoselek all fire tomorrow, Leitchville/Gunbower could drop its first 45-over match since last season’s preliminary final.
However, if Tyler Jones, Jackson McEwen – who scored 111 in last weekend’s win against Barham/Koondrook – and Adam Decicco dominate, the battle for the double chance will intensify.
Across at Kerang, tomorrow’s match will be the first time in 2016 Cohuna United takes to the field, and the side could return to the top four with a win against third-placed Wandella.
The Bombers held on to defeat Nondies last weekend, with Peter Moore and Brodey Farley leading the way.
If these two players repeat their round 11 performance, as well as receive support from the likes of Isaac Hogan and Greg Dickson, United will stay fifth on the table.
Yet if Daniel Cooke can dominate with the bat and Andrew Neil with the ball, the second upset result of 2016 could be on the cards.
Top four race intensifies
THE battle for the NDCA top four will intensify tomorrow, with the outcome of each game to shape the ladder going into the final six rounds of the season.
The match of the round will be at Cohuna, where third-placed Wandella will take on fourth-placed Cohuna United.
The Bombers defeated competition leaders, Nondies by four wickets last weekend, whilst United were too strong for the winless Kerang Fairley Town.
United needs to win to keep the double-digit gap between themselves and reigning premiers, Leitchville/Gunbower in tact, but a Bomber win will keep the side within striking distance of the top two.
Wandella will rely on Matt Wilkinson and Nick Whitfield to lead the way, with Kansas Varker and Jordan White dangerous players for United.
Nondies will look to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Wandella with victory against Leitchville/Gunbower at Cohuna.
The competition leaders need to win to keep Barham/Koondrook – who play the winless Kerang Fairley Town – at bay, whist Leitchville/Gunbower needs to win to keep its finals hopes alive.
Leitchville/Gunbower showed last weekend it has the capacity to challenge for the premiership, with the likes of Matt Hawken and Mitchell McEwen able to control proceedings with the bat and ball.
It will be up to Rhys Free and Lachie Harbinson to ensure Nondies does not record a second consecutive loss.
The final match of the round will see Kerang Fairley Town travel to Barham to take on second-placed side, Barham/Koondrook.
The Kerang-based side were no match for Cohuna United last weekend, but fell eight runs short of defeating the border side when these teams last met.
Barham/Koondrook needs to win, or hope Leitchville/Gunbower defeats Nondies if a surprise loss occurs. to remain on top of the ladder for another week.
Wes O’Neill will be pivotal to the home team’s chances, whilst Laine Gibbons will need his teammates to provide plenty of support to produce an upset result.
