GOLDEN SQUARE v STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS - MyJet Oval
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Last time: Golden Square 6-254 d Strathdale-Maristians 8-235.
Since 2000: Strathdale-Maristians 12; Golden Square 6
GOLDEN SQUARE - regardless of this result, Square, which is 27 points clear of second-placed Strathdale, is going to finish on top of the ladder.
However, while their ladder position can't change, a win would not only complete an undefeated home and away season, but would also send Strathdale tumbling out of the top four if other results go as expected.
Square regains paceman Darren Clutton (12 wickets) for his first game in the first XI since the round nine one-day win over the Suns.
With the bat, Jason Johnson (369 runs) is one of the form players of the competition, averaging 157 his past three games.
• Runs - T. Wood (390), S. Johnson (384), J. Johnson (369). Wickets - L. Baird (28), G. Connelly (18), S. Johnson (14).
STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS - what a strange situation for the Suns entering the last round.
Normally, they have a finals berth well and truly locked up by now, but if they can't beat Golden Square - and no side has been able to do so this season - they run the risk of crashing from second to missing the finals.
But win and they are likely to get a home semi-final.
The Suns lost to Golden Square by 19 runs in round nine, but this time they have Victoria Country representatives Linton Jacobs, Cameron Taylor and Travis King to take on the ladder-leaders.
• Runs - T. King (558), B. DeAraugo (452), L. Jacobs (381). Wickets - C. Taylor (22), J. DeAraugo (20), B. DeAraugo (18).
BENDIGO UNITED v WHITE HILLS - Harry Trott Oval
Last time: Bendigo 9-200 d Bendigo United 5-199.
Since 2000: Bendigo United 11; Bendigo 4; Tie 1.
BENDIGO UNITED - The Redbacks are sitting third on the ladder and will guarantee another finals berth with a win at home over the Goers.
But as is the case with the rest of the teams in that logjam of second to sixth, lose and they then fall to the mercy of other results.
No Heath Behrens (knee) in the side again this week for the clash against a side they lost to in round nine.
• Runs - M. Pinniger (519), B. Gunn (403), H. Behrens (297). Wickets - N. Crawford (24), M. Podosky (23), L. McDermott (20).
BENDIGO - Can the Goers upset Bendigo United for the second time this season?
In round nine they pulled off one of the best wins of the season with their one-wicket victory against the Redbacks.
The Goers are one of the form teams of the competition, having not lost since round eight.
But this is a massive test with the Redbacks having so much to play for.
• Runs - M. Ryan (390), M. Blackman (274), C. Pearce (207). Wickets - B. Andrews (15), M. Ryan (14), J. Higgs (10).
EAGLEHAWK v STRATHFIELDSAYE - Canterbury Park
Last time: Eaglehawk 5-134 d Strathfieldsaye 133.
Since 2000: Eaglehawk 15; Strathfieldsaye 4.
EAGLEHAWK - The Hawks are sitting fourth on the ladder and have the fifth-placed White Hills hot on their heels, just percentage behind.
Had a day of batting practice against Bendigo in their drawn match last Saturday, with their 3-218 following their 6-281 in their one-day win over Sandhurst the previous round.
Now have Anthony West, Andrew Smith and captain Jason Abbott who have all passed the 300-run mark.
• Runs - A. West (356), A. Smith (303), J. Abbott (302). Wickets - A. Smith (21), C. Jacobs (20), A. Monro (15).
STRATHFIELDSAYE - The Jets won’t make the finals, but they certainly haven’t been the battlers that many predicted pre-season.
They haven’t won since round six, but showed last week when they made 8-292 on the back of a Ben Devanny century against top side Golden Square that they still have plenty of fight left.
Can they back up last week’s spirited batting effort and cause an upset?
• Runs - B. Devanny (465), C. Devanny (321), H. Schumacher (294). Wickets - B. Devanny (23), J. Hargreaves (22), C. Devanny (10).
KANGAROO FLAT v WHITE HILLS - Dower Park.
Last time: White Hills 5-146 d Kangaroo Flat 144.
Since 2000: Kangaroo Flat 12; White Hills 2.
KANGAROO FLAT - The Roos are headed for a rare wooden-spoon, but will be aiming to finish the season on a high and win their second game.
Despite the lack of success, the positive for the Roos has been Lachlan Shelton and Josh Newlan having breakout seasons with the bat.
Lost to Sandhurst last week in an ordinary conditions match that was turned into a one-dayer.
• Runs - L. Shelton (311), A. Burns (304), J. Newlan (276). Wickets - A. Burns (17), C. Barber (15), B. Hamblin (13).
WHITE HILLS - Can the Demons end a 15-year finals drought?
They haven’t played finals since 1999 and would be bitterly disappointed if they don’t this season considering they won seven of their first nine games.
They enter the final round fifth.
All they can do is beat Kangaroo Flat and then hope one of Strathdale, Bendigo United or Eaglehawk loses to finally get that finals monkey off their back.
• Runs - B. Stepien (335), G. Davies (308), S. Stagg (230). Wickets - R. Irwin (20), J. Foley (19), T. Colley (18).
HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM v SANDHURST - Poyster Motors Oval
Last time: Huntly-North Epsom 6-138 d Sandhurst 137.
Since 2000: Sandhurst 13; Huntly-North 7.
HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM - The Power are still in the finals mix, but it’s most likely going to take an outright win to be any chance of making them.
They are a game, plus percentage, outside the top four, but look to have left their run too late.
That’s a shame for the Power because they’ve lost just one of their past seven games, but a slow start to the season is set to come back to bite them.
• Runs - J. Collinson (297), M. Hanson (296), S. Johnston (287). Wickets - Q. Bentley (24), S. Johnston (23), T. Wilson (13).
SANDHURST - Ensured they avoided the wooden-spoon last week with their six-wicket victory over Kangaroo Flat their third win of the season.
What should give the Dragons plenty of optimism for the future is that four of their youngsters have been among their leading players this season - Ned Slater (243 runs), Isaac Conway (214 runs), leggie Liam Bowe (21 wickets) and Elias Bowe (20 wickets).
Plenty to work with there for the club.
• Runs - C. Howard (429), S. Robinson (260), N. Slater (243). Wickets - L. Bowe (21), E. Bowe (20), C. Howard (14).