EMU Creek’s batsmen face a daunting challenge tomorrow when their round nine Emu Valley Cricket Association match resumes against Mandurang.Emu Creek – which has lost its past three games – will chase top-of-the-ladder Mandurang’s imposing 6-395 at Tannery Lane.“It’s obviously a big chase. The way to go is to try to get to tea with wickets in hand, which gives you the best opportunity to chase them down after tea if there are still plenty of wickets in the shed,” Emu Creek captain Simon Marwood said yesterday.“Chasing a score like that, we need to make sure we keep the runs ticking over.”Emu Creek will have to score at a run-rate of 5.28 per over off its 75 overs if it’s to successfully chase down the target. Key batsmen for Emu Creek will include Frank McCarthur (244 runs for the season), Brad Rowe (111) and David Thompson (112).“If we bat our 75 overs I’m confident we can give it a good shake on what is a small, quick ground,” Marwood said.“Earlier in the season we got 370-odd against Axe Creek in about 50 overs, so we’ve definitely got the batting there.“It’s just a matter of applying ourselves and working hard for the full 75 overs.”Emu Creek needs a win to keep in touch with the top four.Emu Creek – which hasn’t made more than 140 in its past three innings – sits sixth, 15 points outside of the top four.● EVCA state of play:Spring Gully 284 (S. Makepeace 88, G. Wallis 3-45) v West Bendigo 1-15.Maiden Gully 125 (A. Clayton 42, S. O’Shea 7-56) v Golden Gully 5-72 (W. Horan 45, M. Roberts 2-9). Mandurang 6-395 (L. Haw 120, J. Hancock 3-109) v Emu Creek 0-0.Sedgwick 68 (S. McKenzie 17, C. Davie 3-15) v United 2-151 (A. Collins 87, S. McKenzie 1-5). Marong v Axe Creek to play one-day game.