EMU CREEK v GOLDEN GULLY - 1.30pm Saturday at JG Edwards Oval, Strathfieldsaye.
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Last time: Emu Creek 5-205 d Golden Gully 133 (semi-final).
Since 2008: Emu Creek 8; Golden Gully 1.
EMU CREEK - slow out of the blocks when they were flogged by United in round one, but have hit their straps with the bat in their three games since.
The Emus’ past three games have yielded scores of 8-431, 9-236 and 330 - a combined 997 runs.
In-form Shane Hamilton is out this game, but Brad Rowe (73 and 68) is coming off a pair of half-centuries, while Shaun Cattanach has scores of 97 n.o. and 68 in two of his past three knocks.
And Justin Hancock continues to impress with the ball with two six-wicket hauls in his past two games.
• Runs - Shane Hamilton (194); Shaun Cattanach (172); Brad Rowe (164). Wickets - Justin Hancock (13); Brendan Morris (7).
GOLDEN GULLY - like the Emus, had a shocker with the bat in round one, but have bounced back with three wins on the trot on the back of scores of 9-276, 376 and 9-225.
Brad Webster has shown his all-round class the past two games with both a century (124) and six-wicket bag (6-13).
Great test for the Cobras against a side that has caused them plenty of headaches.
• Runs - Brad Webster (179); Matt Kile (135); Travis Nolan (125). Wickets - Shaun O’Shea (9); Brad Webster, Matt Kile (7).
AXE CREEK v MAIDEN GULLY - 1.30pm Saturday at Champions IGA Oval, Longlea.
Last time: Axe Creek 183 d Maiden Gully 9-169.
Since 2008: Axe Creek 4; Maiden Gully 4.
AXE CREEK - big chance to win two in a row for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
And if the Cowboys repeat last round’s efforts with bat and ball when they belted West Bendigo, should do so at home against Maiden Gully.
Their bowlers, in particular, should have gained a significant confidence boost after dismantling the Redbacks for 122 in the first innings.
The challenge is to back it up again.
• Runs - Grant Le Poidevin (185); Greg Burns (127); Brannon Stanford (104). Wickets - Graham Gamble (9); Nick Skeen (8).
MAIDEN GULLY - still to break through for their first win, but encouraging signs with the bat last week against Sedgwick.
The Gully’s score of 238 was their first above 170 for the season and featured seven players in double figures.
But still haven’t had a player post a half-century since captain Shane Rabbitt made 50 n.o. in round one.
Maiden Gully has won just three of its past 30 games - two of which have been against Axe Creek.
• Runs - Rob Brown (126); Brenden Pearce (79); Alex Gorrie (74). Wickets - Brett Haw (6); Ben Drechsler (6).
SPRING GULLY v MARONG - 1.30pm Saturday at OTH Oval, Spring Gully.
Last time: Marong 7-229 d Spring Gully 143.
Since 2008: Marong 3; Spring Gully 2.
SPRING GULLY - now 1-3 after being outplayed with bat and ball by Golden Gully last round.
But an opportunity to win their second game of the season presents for the Crows at home against struggling Marong.
Batting continues to pose all sorts of problems for the Crows.
In their only win so far they made 231, but in their other three games they have been bundled out for scores of 112, 104 and 113 in first innings.
• Runs - Alex Sutton (132); Tim Budge (102); Ryan Pedrotti (96). Wickets - Alex Sutton (11); Des Gilmore (7).
MARONG - like their opposition this round, the Panthers continue to struggle with the bat.
The winless Panthers still haven’t posted a score above 150, while they have also had their battles with the ball, having conceded at least 225 in each of their games.
Dean Cosgriff is coming off a five-wicket haul, having picked up 5-51 last round against Mandurang.
• Runs - Tom Huf (164); Andrew Gladstone (149); Scott McLarty (73). Wickets - Jeremy Ross (9); Duane Anderson, Dean Cosgriff (8).
UNITED v MANDURANG - 1.30pm Saturday at Ewing Park, Bendigo.
Last time: United 296 d Mandurang 180.
Since 2008: United 4; Mandurang 3.
UNITED - usually it’s the Tigers handing out beltings, not on the end of one.
But last week the reigning premiers copped a 231-run hiding from rivals Emu Creek when they conceded a monster score of 8-431.
And there’s the threat of chasing more leather this round against unbeaten Mandurang in the first of what shapes as a season-defining three matches coming up for the Tigers.
Good test of character coming up.
• Runs - Josh White (169); Joe Hartney (118); Josh Filo (112). Wickets - Josh White (9); Lachlan Shawyer (9).
MANDURANG - continue to set the pace as the only unbeaten team.
Have plenty of players chipping in with the bat, as shown by their score of 225 last week that had eight players score in double figures.
The batting depth is best summed up by the form so far of No.11 Mark Roberts, who is averaging 28.5.
Michael Healy is in good nick with the ball, taking nine wickets in the past two games.
• Runs - Matt Giri (185); Ben Rodda (172); Phil Berry (153). Wickets - Michael Healy (12), James Pietromonaco (10).
WEST BENDIGO v SEDGWICK - 1.30pm Saturday at Ken Wust Oval, Quarry Hill.
Last time: West Bendigo 263 & 2-101 d Sedgwick 153.
Since 2008: West Bendigo 5; Sedgwick 2.
WEST BENDIGO - plenty of pressure on the Redbacks’ batsmen after last round’s shocker against Axe Creek.
The Redbacks had been 6-8 early before being bundled out for 122.
The Redbacks have now lost two in a row, during which they have tumbled from first to seventh.
Gary Singh’s past two matches show just how fickle the game of cricket is - a century in round three, followed by a pair of ducks last round.
• Runs - Ken Bell (228); Gary Singh (183); Travis O’Connell (93). Wickets - Bradley McHugh (9); Dale Warren, Dion Prange (5).
SEDGWICK - the Rams continued their strong batting form last round in their 38-run win over Maiden Gully.
The Rams have batted four times this season for scores of 9-276, 4-232, 244 and 3-267.
Sedgwick has clearly improved this season, but this game will give an indication of just how far the Rams have come, with the club having lost its past four against the Redbacks.
• Runs - Matthew Dwyer (342); Zac Poole (169); Dustin Elliott (112). Wickets - Matthew Dwyer (13); Lucas Baldwin, Alan Friswell, Jordan Ilsey (7).