LIKE most sporting organisations with multiple-grade teams, Bendigo District Cricket Association clubs are judged by their top side - their first XI.
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But there's much more to BDCA clubs than only first XI.
The first XI is just the tip of the iceberg, with clubs boasting teams right down to junior level.
LUKE WEST takes a look at how each club is performing in the first, second and third XI and under-17s.
BENDIGO:
First XI (7th, 4-7) - out of finals contention, but one of the form teams of the competition on the back of three wins in a row, all in which they've chased down targets.
Second XI (9th, 2-9) - been a tough season with only two wins coming against Strathfieldsaye in round one and Sandhurst in round four.
Third XI (8th, 4-7) - two games, plus a big chunk of percentage out of the top four, so finals off the agenda.
Under-17s (1st, 8-3) - great signs for the future of the Goers with their under-17 side sitting a game clear at the top of the ladder.
BENDIGO UNITED:
First XI (3rd, 7-4) - one of four teams locked on 42 points. Look to be peaking just at the right time based on their past two wins against Strathdale and Strathfieldsaye.
Second XI (1st, 10-1) - two games clear at the top of the ladder. Only blemish so far has been a 25-run loss to Sandhurst in round three.
Third XI (5th, 6-5) - normally one of the powers of the third XI competition, but they're a game outside the four with two rounds remaining.
Under-17s (2nd, 7-4) - the Redbacks have been a first XI force for a long time, and with their under-17s sitting second, have a promising next generation coming through underneath.
EAGLEHAWK:
First XI (4th, 7-4) - it has been well documented the Hawks have been up and down with the bat all season, but they're back in the four now and have their finals destiny in their own hands.
Second XI (2nd, 8-3) - have been a dominant force in the seconds having won the past two flags and well on track to play in another grand final.
Third XI (1st, 8-3) - sitting at the top of the ladder and playing good cricket, having won their past four games.
Under-17s (9th, 3-8) - not performing as well as the other three teams and out of finals contention.
GOLDEN SQUARE:
First XI (1st, 11-0) - the only undefeated team not only in the firsts, but across all four grades. Will finish on top of the ladder, but as they found out last time they claimed the minor premiership in 2010 and lost the semi-final to Bendigo United, that means nothing... unless it rains.
Second XI (6th, 5-6) - sitting 10 points outside the top four, so will need plenty to go right from here to play finals.
Third XI (4th, 7-4) - interesting position on the ladder. They are only one game off top spot, but also only one game ahead of sixth-placed Sandhurst.
Under-17s (5th, 7-4) - the reigning premiers are one of five teams from second to fifth on the ladder with 42 points. Unfortunately, they are the team that's outside the four at the moment.
HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM:
First XI (6th, 6-5) - they've come good at the right time of the season with five wins in their past six games, but have they left their run too late?
Second XI (8th, 4-7) - just pride to play for now, with the side 16 points outside the top four.
Third XI (3rd, 7-4) - same position as Golden Square's thirds in that they are one game off top spot, but also only one game clear of sixth. Have the best thirds' percentage of 1.43.
Under-17s - no team.
KANGAROO FLAT:
First XI (10th, 1-10) - barely fired a shot this season with just one win, which has them on the bottom and staring at the prospect of a rare wooden spoon.
Second XI (5th, 6-5) - played in the past three grand finals, but sitting four points outside the top four, they are in a battle just to make the finals.
Third XI (9th, 3-8) - have been behind the eight-ball all season after losing their first five games.
Under-17s (8th, 3-7) - unusual to see the Roos' under-17s so low on the ladder. For the first time since 2006-07 they will be missing from the finals.
SANDHURST:
First XI (9th, 2-9) - have a pair of wins over Kangaroo Flat and Strathfieldsaye, which is keeping the Dragons away from the bottom of the ladder.
Second XI (7th, 5-6) - have shot back into finals calculations after already beating Kangaroo Flat on first innings on day one on Saturday.
Third XI (6th, 6-5) - sitting sixth, but only one game off third spot, so still right in the finals mix.
Under-17s (7th, 5-6) - two games, plus percentage, outside the top four. Probably going to finish in a similar position to last season's sixth.
STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS:
First XI (2nd, 7-4) - the ladder may say second, but the Suns are still far from safe. They are only percentage clear of fifth and have tricky games left to come against Huntly-North Epsom and Golden Square.
Second XI (3rd, 8-3) - headed to the finals with a 12-point buffer inside the top four.
Third XI (2nd, 8-3) - won the flag last year and there has been no signs of a premiership hangover with their eight wins. Interestingly, six other thirds teams have a percentage better than their 0.98.
Under-17s (4th, 7-4) - only percentage from second position, but also clinging onto their position in the top four on just percentage.
The Suns are the only club to have all four teams currently in the top four.
STRATHFIELDSAYE:
First XI (8th, 3-8) - started positively when they were 3-3, including beating Strathdale, but have tapered off since, losing their past five games.
Second XI (10th, 1-10) - stuck on the bottom of the ladder, with their sole victory against Bendigo in round 11.
Third XI (7th, 5-6) - defeated Bendigo last round, but still two games outside the top four with a tough finish to the season against Golden Square and Eaglehawk to come.
Under-17s (6th, 6-5) - a game outside the top four, so still have a finals pulse beating.
WHITE HILLS:
First XI (5th, 7-4) - have caught the BDCA by surprise this season and are still in with a shot of playing finals for the first time since 1999. However, their form has been on the decline as they have dropped from second to fifth with back-to-back losses.
Second XI (4th, 6-5) - the only team in the BDCA to have recorded an outright win this season when they beat Sandhurst in round seven. Could those extra four points be what gets them into the finals?
Third XI (10th, 1-10) - headed for the wooden-spoon, with their only win having come against Strathfieldsaye in round three.
Under-17s (3rd, 7-3) - part of that logjam of four under-17 teams that are on 42 points, but they are in control of their finals destiny.