EVCA STATS CENTRAL

EMU CREEK v WEST BENDIGO - JG Edwards Oval, Strathfieldsaye.

Last time: Emu Creek 169 & 8-209 d West Bendigo 152.

Since 2008: West Bendigo 4; Emu Creek 3.

EMU CREEK (1-1, 6th) - from 4-26 against Axe Creek last week, the Emus smashed the EVCA’s first score above 300.

The Emus finished at 330 against the Cowboys to win their first game of the season.

Just as they did against Axe Creek last season, Simon Marwood (116 n.o.) and skipper Daniel Chamberlain (100) both made tons, while Shaun Cattanach after a duck in round one is coming off 68.

The Emus will also be hoping for more of the same with the ball from Justin Hancock after he took 6-44 off 16 overs last round.

• Runs - Simon Marwood (116), Daniel Chamberlain (110), Shaun Cattanach (68). Wickets - Justin Hancock (6), Brendan Morris (5), Dave Francis (3).

WEST BENDIGO (2-0, 1st) - a strong start to the season for the Redbacks, with wins over Golden Gully and Marong by a combined 258 runs.

Veteran Ken Bell is up and about early, having scored 140 runs without being dismissed, including a match-winning 112 last week.

Bradley McHugh has also been in fine form with the ball, having already taken the superb figures of 8-53 off 22 overs.

• Runs - Ken Bell (140), Gary Singh (75), Travis O’Connell (72). Wickets - Bradley McHugh (8), Scott Ryan (4), Gary Singh (3).

GOLDEN GULLY v AXE CREEK - California Gully Oval.

Last time: Golden Gully 9-305 d Axe Creek 9-184.

Since 2008: Golden Gully 5; Axe Creek 3.

GOLDEN GULLY (1-1, 6th) - a super return to form by the Cobras last round.

After copping a round one hiding from West Bendigo, the Cobras bounced back in the best possible way - thumping reigning premier United by 106 runs.

Recruit Travis Nolan is coming off an unbeaten 77 and is the only Cobras player so far who has made more than 40 runs for the season.

On the back of last round’s from, the Cobras’ confidence should be restored.

• Runs - Travis Nolan (82), Darren De Marchi (38), Matt Kile (38). Wickets - Shaun O’Shea (6), Matt Kile (4).

AXE CREEK (1-1, 4th) - the Cowboys should be kicking themselves after letting Emu Creek off the hook last week.

With a score of 211 to defend, the Cowboys had the Emus on the ropes at 4-26.

But Axe Creek couldn’t land the knockout blow and ended up conceding 330.

Recruit Grant Le Poidevin showed what a valuable acquisition he will be with his unbeaten 91 last round.

• Runs - Grant Le Poidevin (91), Greg Burns (80), David Cannings (56). Wickets - Greg Burns, Jordan Knight (4).

MAIDEN GULLY v UNITED - Maiden Gully Recreation Reserve.

Last time: United 4-161 d Maiden Gully 155 & 126.

Since 2008: United 6; Maiden Gully 0.

MAIDEN GULLY (0-2, 10th) - disappointing batting performance last round cost the Gully the chance of winning their first game of the season against Spring Gully.

The Gully was bundled out for just 111, although, the side at least worked hard to put some value on its wickets, batting for 69 overs.

Maiden Gully has lost 19 wickets in its first two games - 12 of them for single figures, so batting must improve if it’s to be competitive this season.

• Runs - Shane Rabbitt (51), Rob Brown (50), Brenden Pearce (46). Wickets - Scott McCoomb (4), Jack Stagg, Rob Brown, Brett Haw (3).

UNITED (1-1, 5th) - the reigning premiers will be on the rebound from a loss.

The Tigers were beaten by 106 runs by Golden Gully last round in a game where their top-order failed.

Chasing the Cobras’ 9-276, the Tigers collapsed to 5-47 on the way to being bowled out for 170, with captain Forbes Klemm (43) top-scoring.

But expect the Tigers to bounce back strongly against Maiden Gully.

• Runs - Forbes Klemm (78), Andrew Collins (58), Dooley Niemann (55). Wickets - Josh White (5), Lachlan Shawyer (4), Ben O’Sullivan (3).

MANDURANG v SPRING GULLY - Pearce Reserve, Mandurang.

Last time: Mandurang 260 & 1-25 d Spring Gully 147.

Since 2008: Mandurang 5; Spring Gully 4.

MANDURANG (2-0, 2nd) - the Rangas are in good form with the bat with a pair of scores above 200 in their two wins.

They scored 7-224 against Marong in round one, before following it up with 262 in a successful run-chase against Sedgwick last round.

The Rangas’ batting depth was proven last round when James Pietromonaco and Mark Roberts added a match-winning 41 for the last wicket.

• Runs - Matt Giri (142), Phil Berry (67), Cain Ladiges, Ben Rodda (50). Wickets - Mark Roberts (4), Michael Healy, James Pietromonaco, Cain Ladiges (3).

SPRING GULLY (1-1, 8th) - the Crows posted their first win of the season last week with a comfortable triumph over Maiden Gully.

The Crows answered the Gully’s 111 with 231 - only the fourth score above 200 in Spring Gully’s past 14 games.

Andrew Renato has started the season well with the bat, scoring 88 runs in the middle-order without being dismissed.

There’s no Des Gilmore in the side this game following his 5-23 last round.

• Runs - Andrew Renato (88), Tim Budge (70), Alex Sutton (49). Wickets - Des Gilmore (5), Alex Sutton (3), Marc McGreggor (2).

MARONG v SEDGWICK - Marong Links Oval, Marong.

Last time: Marong 296 d Sedgwick 165.

Since 2008: Marong 7; Sedgwick 3.

MARONG (0-2, 9th) - the Panthers have started the season with a pair of losses to Mandurang and West Bendigo.

In both games the Panthers failed to reach 150 in the first innings, so there’s plenty of work to be done with the bat.

Having initially dropped back to the seconds, veteran batsman Richard Murphy is back in the ones for the Panthers, who will be without one of their key players for the clash with the Rams in Scott Ross.

• Runs - Tom Huf (105), Scott McLarty (58), Scott Ross (45). Wickets - Duane Anderson (6), Jeremy Ross (5), Dean Cosgriff (2).

SEDGWICK (1-1, 3rd) - the Rams would have been disappointed not to have defended their score of 244 against Mandurang last week.

Rick Ladson is back to captain, while there’s another well-known football name in the team - former Bendigo Gold captain Steven Stroobants.

Big things are predicted of the Rams this season, so expect them to rebound against the Panthers.

• Runs - Zac Poole (140), Matthew Dwyer (127), Dustin Elliott (70). Wickets - Matthew Dwyer (8), Lucas Baldwin, Alan Friswell, Zac Poole (3).