EAGLEHAWK v BENDIGO UNITED - Canterbury Park.

Last time: Bendigo United 8-270 d Eaglehawk 167.

Since 2000: Bendigo United 9; Eaglehawk 8.

EAGLEHAWK - four wins in a row following last round’s gripping one-run victory over Kangaroo Flat.

The Hawks are now 5-2, sitting third and can draw level with the ladder-leading Redbacks if they win at home.

Having been on the wrong end of a washed-out semi-final last season, the Hawks don’t need reminding of the importance of a top-two finish, with this a crucial game in that quest.

The Hawks have a significant omission with the unavailability of leading wicket-taker Shaun Knott, who has been their standout bowler the past three games.

However, the Hawks regain all-rounder Cory Jacobs.

• Runs - Jason Abbott (247); Matt Fitt (202); Aaron Monro (167). Wickets - Shaun Knott (17); Richard Tibbett (12).

BENDIGO UNITED - the reigning premiers continue to set the pace and will move at least two games clear in the top two if they win this one.

Miggy Podosky is leading the way with the ball for the Redbacks, having taken 12 wickets his past four games.

The Redbacks continue to suffer the loss of early wickets, having been 3-28 and 4-25 their past two games, but have dug in to post winning scores.

Plenty still to work on, but they are winning games, which is all that matters at this stage of the season.

Meanwhile, star batsman Heath Behrens will become the new Redbacks’ first XI games record-holder on Saturday.

Behrens will line-up for game No.250 for the Redbacks, surpassing the previous record of 249 held by his former team-mate Chris Pinniger.

• Runs - Ben Gunn (315); Heath Behrens (275); Leigh McDermott (193). Wickets - Miggy Podosky (17); Nick Crawford (12).

STRATHFIELDSAYE v SANDHURST - Flight Centre Park.

Last time: Sandhurst 8-266 d Strathfieldsaye 161.

Since 2000: Strathfieldsaye 9; Sandhurst 8.

STRATHFIELDSAYE - the Jets will be kicking themselves at the missed opportunity against Strathdale last week.

Squandered the chance to move two games clear in the top four after they let the Suns off the hook and now have three teams breathing down their neck, six points behind.

Worked hard to earn their position in the top four. Won’t want to un-do that work and spoil their mid-season break with back-to-back defeats.

• Runs - Ben Devanny (494); Greg Lyon (239); Luke Jones (187). Wickets - Cory Devanny (18); Ben Devanny (15).

SANDHURST - it sounds like a broken record, but again, the Dragons were pipped at the post last week.

From a 2-0 start, the Dragons have since lost five on the trot, including the past two by a combined eight runs to White Hills and Bendigo.

At least the Dragons have shown plenty of fighting spirit in those past two losses when the cause had seemed lost.

• Runs - Craig Howard (278); Shane Robinson (222); Lucas Hutchinson (193). Wickets - Craig Howard (22); Liam Bowe (17).

GOLDEN SQUARE v BENDIGO - MyJet Oval.

Last time: Golden Square 199 d Bendigo 140.

Since 2000: Golden Square 12; Bendigo 6.

GOLDEN SQUARE - you've got to go back 15 seasons to 1999-2000 for the last time Golden Square lost four games in a row.

But that’s the scenario that confronts Square, which has dropped its past three games to Bendigo United, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat.

Having taken 20 wickets against Huntly-North Epsom in round four, only claimed 21 their past three games.

Crunch game heading into the break.

• Runs - Scott Johnson (303); Jason Johnson (157); Jake Higgins (133). Wickets - Scott Woodman (15); Liam Smith, Jamie Bysouth (10).

BENDIGO - the Goers are on the march, having won their past two games following a 1-4 start.

With back-to-back wins over Sandhurst and Huntly-North Epsom, the Goers have climbed from the bottom to seventh and within one game of the top four.

Winning form is good form and that’s why the Goers can’t be discounted.

• Runs - Nathan Fitzpatrick (273); Mitch Blackman (173); Alex Pearson (162). Wickets - Alex Pearson (14); Nathan Fitzpatrick (13).

HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM v WHITE HILLS - Poyser Motors Oval.

Last time: Huntly-North Epsom 5-250 d White Hills 187.

Since 2000: White Hills 11; Huntly-North 5.

HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM - the Power’s struggles continue, with last week’s fourth loss in a row against Bendigo sending them to the bottom of the ladder.

Captain Josh Collinson has battled hard with the bat the past two games with back-to-back scores of 92 and 66.

The Power have lost 50 wickets during their four losses in a row - 33 for single-figures, which shows the batting desperately needs to lift.

• Runs - Adam Ward (273); Josh Collinson (211); Michael Hanson (150). Wickets - Adam Ward (17); Brett Elvey (11).

WHITE HILLS - one of three teams with a 3-4 record that is one game outside the top four.

Defeated Sandhurst by seven runs last week, despite almost blowing a position of dominance with the bat.

Heavily reliant on the key trio of Brayden Stepien, Gavin Bowles and Mitch Winter-Irving, who have combined for 63 per cent of the Demons’ runs.

• Runs - Brayden Stepien (349); Gavin Bowles (337); Mitch Winter-Irving (272). Wickets - Mitch Winter-Irving (14); Rhys Irwin (10).

KANGAROO FLAT v STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS - N8Health Oval.

Last time: Strathdale 197 d Kangaroo Flat 165.

Since 2000: Strathdale 12; Kangaroo Flat 9.

KANGAROO FLAT - like Sandhurst, the Roos sum up the fine line there is in the BDCA this season.

The Roos are 2-5, but could have easily been 4-3 after close losses to Eaglehawk (1 run) last week and White Hills (7 runs).

Instead of being on the verge of the top four, the Roos are eighth.

Tough test awaits at home against the Suns, who they haven’t beaten in their past eight meetings.

• Runs - Adam Burns (271); Brent Hamblin (212); Lachlan Shelton (158). Wickets - Adam Burns (22); Brent Hamblin (16).

STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS - maintained second position with a 45-run win over Strathfieldsaye last round.

That was the Suns’ fourth win in a row, during which they’ve made scores of 6-333, 244, 8-344 and 8-328 - a total of 1249 runs.

A big game for batsman Andrew Hosking, who for the first time takes on the side he won two flags with.

• Runs - Cameron Taylor (346); Ben DeAraugo (292); Nick Baker (291). Wickets - Cameron Taylor (17); Jacob DeAraugo (12).