Heading into Saturday’s one-day clash the Dragons sit in fourth position, just half-a-game clear of the chasing Kangaroo Flat.

The two sides met earlier in the season when Sandhurst won by 72 runs in round two, but the Dragons have subsequently been stripped of their six points from that game after 18-year-old Will Keck bowled one extra over in a spell than permitted.

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The Dragons are coming off a rain-affected drawn game against Golden Square last round, while the Roos will ride the momentum of a crushing 150-run win over Bendigo United.

The Roos go into the game with three of the top 10 wicket-takers in the competition in captain Brent Hamblin (15), Dylan Klemm (13) and Chris Barber (13) and will need to bowl well to contain the deep Sandhurst batting line-up that has only been bowled out once so far.

Last time: Sandhurst 8-360 d Kangaroo Flat 9-288.

Since 2000: Kangaroo Flat 13; Sandhurst 10.

Prediction: Sandhurst.

at Atkins Street

A vital game for both sides.

A win for White Hills would bring the Demons within three points of the third-placed Goers and have them right in the hunt for a finals berth at the mid-season break.

However, a Goers’ victory would not only steady their season, but keep them at least a game clear inside the top four as they hunt a return to the finals for the first time since 2010-11.

Having started the season 4-0 the Goers have since lost their past two games to Strathdale-Maristians outright and Strathfieldsaye. 

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Bendigo veteran Mark Ryan has been in fine touch with scores of 57 and 54 n.o. in his past two innings, while team-mate Kyle Humphrys continues to put together a fine all-round season, already combining 387 runs with 21 wickets.

White Hills’ Mitch Winter-Irving should enjoy returning to Atkins Street. In his previous two games at the ground he has made scores of 112 and 101 and taken 5-59 and 6-95.

Last time: Bendigo 231 d White Hills 182.

Since 2000: Bendigo 14; White Hills 11; Tied 1.

Prediction: Bendigo.

at Canterbury Park

Just when the Bendigo United bowlers are starting to get over their nightmares caused by Eaglehawk’s Jeremy Brown, they have to confront the Hawks again.

When the two sides met last month Brown set a new Eaglehawk club record score of 215 off just 131 balls against the Redbacks.

And he showed his class again last week with a masterful 150 against White Hills that has propelled the left-hander to the top of the BDCA runs tally with 424.

While they are a game outside the top four after earlier losing their first three matches, the Hawks – who have veteran Andrew Smith just one shy of 300 wickets – are building ominously.

A massive plus for the battling Redbacks, who are in the unfamiliar position of sitting on the bottom of the ladder, is the return of captain Leigh McDermott from injury to add some valuable batting and bowling experience, but the Hawks should be far too strong.

Last time: Eaglehawk 404 d Bendigo United 232.

Since 2000: Eaglehawk 12; Bendigo United 12.

Prediction: Eaglehawk.

at Wade Street

A tough ask for Strathfieldsaye and Greg Lyon, who becomes the first Jets’ player to 250 games, coming up against the in-form Golden Square.

Perhaps most ominous for the Jets is that Golden Square captain Ben Gunn has finally hit his straps this season after making 108 last week, while young gun Zane Keighran (107 n.o.) is also coming off a century.

Square also has paceman Darren Clutton named to play his first game since round one.

The Jets also have a key inclusion with the ball in spinner Andrew Stove, who took 4-40 against Bendigo United in round one in his only game so far.

The hard-hitting Pat Felmingham (254 runs) has made half-centuries in each of his past three games for the Jets, who got themselves off the bottom of the ladder last week with a tight win over Bendigo at the QEO.

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Last time: Golden Square 6-257 d Strathfieldsaye 185 & 3-99.

Since 2000: Golden Square 17; Strathfieldsaye 4.

Prediction: Golden Square.

at Bell Oval

Same opponents, same venue as last round, with the Suns and Power to meet for the second game in a row.

While it was a two-day game last round, the match ended up playing out as a limited overs run-chase for the Suns, who after bowling the Power out were set 133 to win in 22 overs, which they achieved in just 17.5 to move into top spot.

The match will be a milestone for Strathdale’s Linton Jacobs, who becomes just the fourth player in the club’s history to notch 200 first XI games.

At least this time the Power won’t need to contend with the Suns’ Sam Johnston.

Johnston took 6-38 against the Power last round, but is unavailable for the return clash.

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Last time: Strathdale-Maristians 4-135 d Huntly-North Epsom 132.

Since 2000: Strathdale-Maristians 20; Huntly-North Epsom 1.

Prediction: Strathdale.

Strathdale – 28

Golden Square – 27

Bendigo – 24

Sandhurst – 21

Kangaroo Flat – 18

Eaglehawk – 15

White Hills – 15

Huntly-North Epsom – 12

Strathfieldsaye – 12

Bendigo United – 6