PREVIEW of round three of the Emu Valley Cricket Association season on Saturday.
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![INCLUSION: Brannon Stanford is back in the Spring Gully side for the Crows' EVCA match of the round against Maiden Gully on Saturday. Picture: GLENN DANIELS INCLUSION: Brannon Stanford is back in the Spring Gully side for the Crows' EVCA match of the round against Maiden Gully on Saturday. Picture: GLENN DANIELS](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/G3M3FqVFYHjdnjXX9zgHHX/516a4657-16f8-4acd-aaf7-35c32a4c89c4.JPG/r0_99_2362_1696_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
MAIDEN GULLY v SPRING GULLY
MAIDEN GULLY (2-0) – the Gully has certainly made a statement early in its season, which has begun with back-to-back wins over last summer’s grand finalists, Mandurang and Golden Gully.
Alex Gorrie (5-22) and Kayle Thompson (4-18) are coming off a combined nine wickets in last week’s win over the Cobras.
SPRING GULLY (2-0) – like their opponents on Saturday, the Crows have also got through their opening two games unscathed.
While it’s still only early, they are coming off the competition’s highest score of the season last week with their 9-265 against West Bendigo after they had been 4-37 early.
Dangerous batsman Brannon Stanford is an inclusion in the side, but there’s no Ryan Pedrotti, who cracked their top score of 81 last week.
Last time: Spring Gully 9-250 def Maiden Gully 175.
Since 2008: Spring Gully 9; Maiden Gully 1.
Prediction: Spring Gully.
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SEDGWICK v WEST BENDIGO
SEDGWICK (2-0) – the Rams were touted pre-season as the team to beat after an active recruiting campaign and so far, that is proving to be the case.
They have occupied top of the ladder over the first two rounds and have beaten two of last season’s finalists in United and Golden Gully.
Highlighting the strength of the Rams’ bowling line-up, new coach Greg Thomas took 16 wickets playing for premiers Golden Gully last season, but he hasn’t been needed with the ball over the first two rounds.
WEST BENDIGO (0-2) – a challenging start to the season for the Redbacks against United and Spring Gully doesn’t get any easier against the flag favourite Rams.
At least this time it’s in a one-day game. Last time they met the Rams pummeled 4-560 in the game Matt Dwyer made 271 in.
The Redbacks have been hit for 466 runs in their first two games and they face a massive challenge ahead to try to contain the Rams.
Last time: Sedgwick 4-560 def West Bendigo 54 & 5-135.
Since 2008: West Bendigo 5; Sedgwick 4.
Prediction: Sedgwick.
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UNITED v MARONG
UNITED (1-1) – the Tigers will be on the rebound from a loss to Sedgwick last week when they were all out for 152 chasing 194.
A key to the Tigers’ getting back on the winner’s list will be another spell like last week from Damien Nihill.
Nihill was superb with the ball last week in conceding just six runs off eight overs, while also claiming the scalp of Matt Dwyer.
The Tigers certainly have the wood over Marong. They haven’t lost to the Panthers since the 2010-11 season.
MARONG (0-2) – aiming to avoid a 0-3 start after losing their first two games to Mandurang and Spring Gully.
Have only managed to take 10 wickets in the first two rounds, so will need to sharpen up with the ball if they are to challenge the Tigers.
Duane Anderson leads the Panthers in both runs (72) and wickets (three) and is the early leader in the Addy’s MVP rankings.
Last time: United 6-535 def Marong 92.
Since 2008: United 9; Marong 2.
Prediction: United.
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GOLDEN GULLY v MANDURANG
GOLDEN GULLY (0-2) – the Cobras’ premiership defence is off to a shaky start following back-to-back losses to Sedgwick and Maiden Gully.
The Cobras’ batting is yet to fire, with the side having been bowled out for scores of just 122 and 94.
Of the 20 wickets the Cobras have lost so far, only five have been for a double-figure score.
MANDURANG (1-1) – no doubt the Rangas will have revenge on their minds against the Cobras.
Last time they met was last season’s grand final when the Cobras won by 35 runs.
Luke Rafferty (64), Matt Pask (70) and James Pietromonaco (64) have all posted half-centuries with the bat in the first two rounds for the Rangas, who will be aiming to build on last week’s 50-run victory over Marong.
Last time: Golden Gully 231 def Mandurang 196 (grand final).
Since 2008: Mandurang 5; Golden Gully 2.
Prediction: Mandurang.
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ADDY MVP POINTS:
1 run = 1pt; 1 wicket = 20pts; 1 catch = 10pts; 1 run out/stumping = 15 pts.
152 – D. Anderson (Mar)
151 – L. Raffery (Mand)
148 – J. Ilsey (Sedg)
129 – J. Pietromonaco (Mand)
126 – A. Gorrie (MG)
123 – K. Thomspon (MG)
121 – B. Webster (GG)
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LEADING RUNS:
103 – M. Dwyer (Sedg)
101 – L. Rafferty (Mand)
99 – W. Horan (Utd)
96 – M. Pask (Mand)
95 – J. Bish (SG)
91 – G. Thomas (Sedg)
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LEADING WICKETS:
5 – A. Gorrie (MG)
5 – J. Ilsley (Sedg)
5 – K. Thompson (MG)
5 – L. Pilcher (SG)
5 – B. Webster (GG)