ULTIMA TUF v BARHAM KOONDROOK
BOTH Ultima TUF and Barham Koondrook will put their finals aspirations on the line when the two clubs meet at the Alan Garden Reserve.
Both the Roodogs and Raiders go into the clash off the back of disappointing losses last round.
For Ultima TUF, their nine-wicket defeat to Woorinen couldn’t have been worse, with a poor performance with the bat backed up by a mediocre display with the ball, having been bowled out for just 49, before conceding 159 runs in just 22 overs.
Barham Koondrook, on the other hand, couldn’t have been more impressive in pushing the reigning premiers all the way to the final two balls of the match, with the Raiders almost snatching the six points that would have returned them to the top four.
Garry Lolicato (244 runs at 30.50) and Warren Lolicato (241 runs at 26.78) will be the key wickets for the Roodogs attack, which has been well served by off-spinner Cassidy Sibley and pace bowler Josh Waldron (both 10 wickets) this season.
There’s little doubt about the talent within Ultima TUF’s batting line-up, who on their day bat as deep as any team.
The challenge, however, has been with their top and middle order producing their best consistently, with Lachie Edwards and Kade Benfield the only Roodogs to surpass 100 runs this season.
NYAH DISTRICT v RSL
NYAH District will aim to continue their winning start to the new year when they host RSL Saturday afternoon.
While the Demons sit two games clear on top of the SHDCA ladder, the Blues find themselves fighting to keep their finals hopes alive, with a five-team battle for third and fourth expected to go right to the final rounds.
A win over the Kookaburra Cup premiers would be the perfect shot in the arm for the Blues, who secured a hard-fought 11-run win over Barham Koondrook in their only red-ball outing so far.
Even without the Caldwell brothers, RSL were able to get the job done against the Raiders, with Samuel Brown (6/43) the unlikely hero with the ball and Todd Day-Henery (41) the hero with the bat.
Although the Blues were able to get the points last time without their heavy hitters firing, they will all likely need 11 players to be at their best if they are to upset Nyah District.
With four of the competition’s six highest run scorers this season (Charlie Boulton, Mitchell Grinham, Joel Walsh and Dean Harrop), the Demons’ big strength clearly lies with their ability to post a big score with the bat.
The Blues will need to get early breakthroughs with the ball and get into the Demons middle order, which will be no easy feat given the form of Boulton and Grinham, who combined for a 94-run opening stand in last Saturday’s Kookaburra Cup decider which helped set up the game for their side.
