AFTER a round one wash-out, followed by a two-week bye for round two, Spring Gully will finally get its first taste of Emu Valley Cricket Association action for the season on Saturday.
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Last season’s runners-up, the Crows take on Golden Gully at home in what shapes as a competitive tussle.
The Crows have added last season’s leading run-scorer for Axe Creek Joel Bish, as well as another former Cowboy in Nick Skeen to boost their bowling department.
Golden Gully should hit the contest with plenty of confidence after giving the first sign last round that it will be a major improver this season by upstaging reigning premier United, which featured half-centuries to Greg Thomas (63) and Jeremy Rogerson (57), and four wickets each to Travis Nolan and Grant Le Poidevin.
Since 2008: Spring Gully 5; Golden Gully 4.
• A run-feast looms between Mandurang and Sedgwick after the batting performances of both teams last round.
The Rangas crunched 6-346 declared against West Bendigo in their first knock of the season, while the Rams cracked 7-330 in a win over Emu Creek.
Mandurang’s Matt Giri (114) and Matthew Pask (122) are both coming off centuries, as is Sedgwick’s Andrew Sheehan (133).
On the postage stamp that is Mandurang’s Pearce Reserve with plenty of batting power in both teams, this clash should provide plenty of entertainment.
Since 2008: Mandurang 7; Sedgwick 1.
• United should bounce back from its defeat last round when it meets West Bendigo at Ewing Park.
The Tigers’ premiership defence began with a 35-run loss to Golden Gully when they were all out for 186 chasing the Cobras’ 221.
United’s side has been boosted by the return of reigning Cricketer of the Year Alex Collins, while the side’s leading wicket-taker last season, Andrew Duguid, who took 5-3 last time he played West Bendigo, is also back in.
The Redbacks copped a 276-run hiding off Mandurang last round, and this clash against a Tigers side that will be fired up after a first-up loss looms as another long two days.
Since 2008: United 5; West Bendigo 4.
• Emu Creek and Maiden Gully will be both chasing their first wins of the season in their clash at JG Edwards Oval.
Maiden Gully was poor with the bat last round in being bowled out for just 123 against Marong, while the Emus – who have Shane Hamilton (112) coming off a ton – will want to tighten up with the ball after conceding 330 against Sedgwick.
Since 2008: Maiden Gully 4; Emu Creek 3.