City Colts and reigning premiers Beechworth will square off for the first time since last season’s Wangaratta and District Cricket Association A grade final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The competition returns to the two-day format on Saturday as clubs begin their charge towards the finals.
Less than a point separates Colts (second) and Beechworth (third) on the ladder, with Rovers United-Bruck narrowly out in front.
Rain prevented a result during Beechworth’s clash with Delatite last weekend after the Wanderers posted 8-167 and had Delatite 1-3 before weather intervened.
City Colts were too strong for the luckless Wangaratta, led by an unbeaten 71 from 80 balls by skipper Kent Braden, which set up the 53-run win.
Yarrawonga-Mulwala will be desperate to recapture its winning form from earlier in the season when it hosts Delatite.
The Lakers’ last win was on December 9 against Greta, prior to its loss to Beechworth in the final round before Christmas and a no result against the winless Ovens Valley United last weekend.
Josh Lawrence has continued to shine at the top of the order with a further 84 runs against Ovens Valley to add to his 149 in the club’s last meeting with that opponent.
Rovers United-Bruck will be out to hang onto top spot when it faces Wangaratta at WJ Findlay Oval.
The Hawks scratched their way to 9-132 against Greta last weekend, but were excellent with the ball to dismiss them for just 84.
Jon Hyde (3-12), Jordan Blades (2-11) and Jacob Schonafinger (2-15) led the way.
Ovens Valley United will look to set up its first win of the 2017-18 season when it takes on the Benalla Bushrangers at Whorouly, while Greta has the bye.