THE top two teams in Grampians Cricket Association’s A Grade division will be hunting for outright victories when round four comes to an end on Saturday.
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With percentage separating first-placed Swifts-Great Western and second-placed Youth Club, both teams will be out to get big wins against their opponents.
Pomonal players will hope the score of 8-235 they set last weekend will be enough to hold off Buangor-Tatyoon.
If Pomonal is successful, the win could mean a ladder change and clinching the third spot from their opposition.
Buangor-Tatyoon captain Michael Harricks said the team would welcome the return of a number of players.
“We had about six of our first 11 unavailable last week, so we have a number of players to choose from. A decision on who will make the side will be made after training,” he said.
Pomonal was able to get away from Buangor-Tatyoon during day one.
“Last week wasn’t ideal, but hopefully our ins this week will give some real strength to the batting line-up,” he said.
“Our goal, obviously, is to reach the 235 runs and to go out with a smart plan and put the pressure on from the first ball.”
Youth Club will keep a close eye on the weather this week as the team prepares for the match against Aradale on the turf wicket at Central Park.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast rain in Stawell for majority of the week.
Clubbers captain Nic Baird said the club will be doing everything they can, to ensure the wicket stays in decent condition.
“We want the best wicket for both teams going into Saturday,” he said.
The Clubbers were all out for 296 at stumps of day one before Aradale went in to bat. Aradale will start the day on 4-41 as Mark Fulton and Charlie Preston were listed not out.
Baird said he wouldn’t be surprised if Aradale was to swap a few batsmen into the side.
“Our focus, at this stage, is getting the six wickets and we will see what happens after that,” he said.
Baird said he wanted to go onto the field with a strong bowling attack.
“You can’t take any team too lightly – it doesn’t matter what the score is. We’ll bank on having a hard crack at them throughout the day,” he said.
Swifts-Great Western is also in a similar position to the Clubbers.
The Combine posted a score of 190 against St Andrews.
St Andrews was able to make 3-23 as they batted for the last 13 overs on day one.
Paul Menzies and Adam Haslett are the batsmen not out at stumps and will continue their efforts on Saturday.
The Combine will hope their headstart on the wickets will be enough to claim another seven early in the day with the possibility of bowling again.
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