BARHAM/KOONDROOK’S strong start to the Northern District Cricket Association A Grade season could continue tomorrow with a win against the only side to have defeated the border team.
Cohuna United defeated the competition leaders by five wickets back in round one, but has not recorded another victory since that mid-October day.
It will be a difficult challenge for the hosts to emulate their round one feats, with the border side already surpassing its 2015/16 efforts.
Barham/Koondrook’s five-wicket win against Wandella last week showed the competition how much the side has improved, with the performance led by the likes of Blake Chant and Matt Thomas.
United – which lost to Nondies by 39 runs in a low-scoring affair six days ago – will rely on round one leaders, Logan Spittal and Aaron Wilson to stand out once again.
A loss will see the Cohuna side outside the top four on points at the end of the first third of the season, but the margin could be one win if Wandella inflicts a third consecutive loss on Leitchville/Gunbower.
The Bombers will look to bounce back after last weekend’s loss to Barham/Koondrook, with top-order batsmen Greg Dickson, Ro Oliver and Matt Webb all producing starts.
The composite side has not won since October 22, dropping to third after leading the competition after the first fortnight of matches.
Kurt Brereton, Casey McNaught and Thomas Dehne will all be danger players for the reigning premiers in a rematch of the 2015/16 decider, occurring at Riverside Park.
Close race
ONE win could separate the Northern District Cricket Association’s top three B Grade sides is results go the favourites’ way tomorrow.
The match of the round will be at Koondrook, with Nondies travelling to take on Barham/Koondrook.
Both sides have won three games so far in 2016/17, with the winner to be one win clear of the losing side at the end of six rounds.
The border team won by nine wickets when the teams met in round one, with both teams chalking up victories last weekend.
Leitchville/Gunbower can remain one win clear at the top of the ladder with a win against Cohuna United tomorrow.
The competition leaders – who defeated United by seven wickets in round one – are on a three-match winning streak, with United looking to strike back after last weekend’s loss to Barham/Koondrook.
In the final match of the round, Wandella can move back into third with a big win against local rivals, Kerang Fairley Town.
The Bombers’ loss to Leitchville/Gunbower last weekend saw the side fall from second to fourth, whilst Kerang Fairley Town are yet to win this season, despite pushing Barham/Koondrook and Nondies in recent weeks.
