GCA - The pressure is on Swifts/Great Western as they attempt to avoid a loss to Tatyoon in the second day of the Grampians Cricket Association clash.
In trouble at 4/64 and with top order batsmen Travis Nicholson and James Devery back in the stands, the Combine's Jesse Eckel (21 not out) will need the support of his captain Nic Clough (four no) in an attempt to build a solid partnership as they look to hold off a dangerous Tatyoon bowling attack.
Tatyoon bowlers Tim McDougall, John Coghlan and Joel Fitzpatrick have been in good form recently and will be out to snare early wickets.
With Dale Hurley and Tom Eckel next in to bat, Swifts/Great Western have a tough assignment ahead as they try to avoid their second loss of the season.
Youth Club is looking to an easy outright win over lowly Chalambar.
If all goes to plan, this will be Youth Club's third win in a row since the Christmas break, with the Clubbers sitting pretty in third position on the ladder.
Resuming on 4/39 in the second innings after Youth Club declared, Chalambar still trails the home side by 123 runs.
Youth Club bowlers Marcus Marrow, Steve Le Gassick, Cam Kimber and Jamie Solyom will be out to add to their wicket tally.
With Kimber and Solyom in particularly good form, Youth Club should have no problem claiming the outright victory.
Aradale batsmen Travis Horvatek, Clint Rodger, Brett Crone and Jon Townsend will be aiming to grab points off cross town rival St Andrews.
Aradale has been set a target of 187 to win, and Horvatek will be out to atone for his last innings performance which saw him make just the one run.
It will be a battle for both teams, with only the winner to have a slight glimmer of hope of making the finals.
Continued page 47.
From page 48
St Andrews bowlers Brady Miller, James Hosking, David Hosking and Jacob Bates must take early wickets if they are any chance to claim an outright win and keep their finals chances alive.
Buangor will be out to claim an outright win over cellar dweller Pomonal to cement its position in the top four.
Currently 145 runs in front, Buangor is likely to declare on 8/251 and send Pomonal out to bat again with an eye on victory.
Ben Hargreaves and Jack Ganley will lead the Buangor attack - Both bowlers are in red hot form and are looking to add to their combined eight wicket haul in the first innings.
Pomonal's batsmen are badly out of form and will need captain Nick Maddison to step up and make quick runs.
However, support for Maddison must come from his teammates, batsmen Rick Oliver, Alex Malligan and Matthew Grinham, if Pomonal is to have any chance of avoiding an outright loss and bottom place relegation.
A grade
Tatyoon 180 v Swifts/Great Western 4/64
Aradale v St Andrews 187
Chalambar 66 & 4/39 v Youth Club 7/228 (dec)
Buangor 8/251 v Pomonal 106
B grade
Pomonal 82 & 0/27 v Swifts/Great Western 3/191 (dec)
Wickliffe/Lake Bolac 7/245 (dec) v Willaura 0/42
Aradale 2/50 v Navarre 219
Halls Gap 9/308 v Elmhurst
C grade
Navarre v Tatyoon
St Andrews v Youth Club
Halls Gap v Buangor
Rhymney/Moyston v Chalambar
Pomonal - Bye