NORTHERN District Cricket Association A Grade competition leaders, Barham/Koondrook face a difficult task tomorrow to retain top spot on the ladder.
Having won five matches in a row, the border side’s game tomorrow against Nondies at Koondrook looms as a key game to the club’s title hopes seven rounds into the season.
A win against their Cohuna-based opponents could see a two-win gap form between the competition’s top two sides and the remaining three teams in the association’s top tier, depending on other results.
However, a Nondies win and Leitchville/Gunbower victory against Cohuna United will see the border side relinquish top spot on the ladder and locked in a three-way battle for the competition’s lead.
“Finishing the season in the top two is what you aim for, as it gives you home ground advantage going into the finals,” Nondies captain, Josh Novoselek said.
“For us to win, we will need to hold our catches, which is something we did not do when we last met them back in round two.”
Barham/Koondrook go into the match with confidence following an eight-wicket win when the sides met back in round two, with Matt Thomas – who was left two run shy of a century in the high-scoring affair back in late October – and Shane Guerra, who claimed five wickets in last weekend’s win against United, to be key players for the hosts.
Nondies – who defeated Cohuna United by 39 runs when the side last played 13 days ago – will look to Jack Donat, Brandon Keely and Novoselek to move up the ladder.
In tomorrow’s other A Grade match, Leitchville/Gunbower will go into its match against United at Leitchville as strong favourites, thanks to a positive recent record.
The reigning premiers defeated the Cohuna-based side by 60 runs back in round two, with James and Jason Keath key players in the win.
United, who will snap a four-match losing streak if it wins tomorrow, will look to Bradley Griffiths and Marcus Rogers.
Tight at the top
AT least one Northern District Cricket Association B Grade side will be one win clear on top of the ladder, depending on results tomorrow.
The match of the round will be at the Cohuna Recreation Reserve, where defending premiers and second-placed side, Nondies take on third-placed Wandella.
Both teams have won four games this season, and go into the match with round six victories as an added boost.
Nondies defeated Barham/Koondrook by 101 runs six days ago, whilst the Bombers prevailed by seven wickets against Kerang Fairley Town.
Leitchville/Gunbower can remain on top of the ladder, and hold a one-win advantage over third spot, with victory tomorrow against fifth-placed Barham/Koondrook at Gunbower.
The composite side went down to Cohuna United last weekend by five wickets, whilst the border side needs to win or faces the prospect of being one win outside the top four if United defeats Kerang Fairley Town.
The clash between United and Kerang Fairley Town will occur at Kerang’s Riverside Park, and will be the first time this season the teams have played after tomorrow’s hosts did not field a side back in round two.
