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AFTER a two-season absence, Colbinabbin makes its return to Northern United Cricket Association finals action on Saturday.
Following a sluggish start, the Grasshoppers hit a purple patch of form late to propel themselves into a semi-final showdown with top side Elmore from 1pm.
The Ducks won just two of their first nine games, but have since reeled off five victories in a row.
Colbinabbin's winning streak began when it became the first - and still only - team to beat Elmore when it defeated the Redbacks by five runs in round 10.
While the Ducks are on a roll - they have bowled their opposition out for 117, 83, 95, 108 and 40 during their streak - they come up against an Elmore side that boasts three of the competition's top-five batsmen: Chris Smith (417 runs), star recruit Jake Wright (343) and captain Matt Gilmour (313).
Elmore's Tyler Oliver (25 wickets) is also the competition's No.1 bowler.
The Redbacks and Ducks will meet at Elmore.
In Saturday's other semi-final, Dingee will play Bagshot at Bagshot.
It's a familiar stage for Dingee, which is playing in its seventh-consecutive semi-final after finishing second on the ladder.
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The Blowflies have had the wood over Bagshot this season, winning their two home and away meetings by six wickets and 13 runs.
The consistent Scott Lawry has had another solid season with the bat for the Blowflies with 357 runs, while the trio of captain Matthew Jeffries (18), Kym Wheelhouse (18) and veteran James Sexton (16) have combined for 52 wickets for Bagshot.
EMU VALLEY CRICKET ASSOCIATION
MANDURANG will be fighting to hold onto its spot in the Emu Valley Cricket Association top four when the final round begins on Saturday.
The Rangas enter the final home and away round in fourth spot on 66 points.
However, they have United breathing down their neck, also on 66 points, while Marong and Maiden Gully are a game further back - but both with superior percentages.
The Rangas take on Maiden Gully in the final round, while the highlight game is the clash of the finals-bound Emu Creek and Sedgwick at J.G. Edwards Oval.
Other round 12 matches:
California Gully v Spring Gully
West Bendigo v United
One-dayer on Sunday - Marong v California Gully
………………………..
EVCA ladder:
1. Sedgwick - 120
2. Spring Gully - 108
3. Emu Creek - 104
4. Mandurang - 66
5. United - 66
6. Marong - 54
7. Maiden Gully - 54
8. West Bendigo - 24
9. California Gully - 0
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