Another interesting round of matches confront the teams in round three of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade competition with the match of the weekend being played on Sunday when Paynesville hosts Swan Reach Metung in their round one catch up.
Those two clubs have had some intriguing battles over the past few seasons with Sunday’s clash expected to be of similar ilk.
Paynesville will go into the weekend on a high having knocked off Orbost last week in their return to the “A” grade competition.
If they can get through Saturday’s match at home against West Bairnsdale relatively unscathed, you would think they should have the measure of the Swans at this stage.
In saying that, West Bairnsdale is a daunting task, the reigning premier chased down 153 against Lucknow for the loss of just one wicket last week after not getting to play round one due to a sticky wicket at Nagle.
Brodie Anderson, Sam Stewart and Ryan Halford all impressed with the bat, while left arm spinner Chris Hammond has started the season in fine form.
The Gulls will be looking for another significant contribution for keeper/batsman Nathan Schoultz if they are to make an impression against the all-conquering West.
Orbost will be looking to bounce back from the shock loss to Paynesville when it travels to the other side of the competition to tackle Meerlieu.
The Tussocks recruits seem to have settled in quickly and are doing damage with bat and ball, which could make life hard for the Blues who have endured a tough start for the second consecutive season.
Lucknow will host Wy Yung, the Magpies and Tigers renewing their cross-town rivalry in a match which looks on paper to be a good game of cricket.
Both sides have shown improvement from last season in the initial two rounds despite Lucknow going down to Lakes Entrance and West Bairnsdale.
Lindenow South Glenaldale should go on its winning way at home against Metung Swan Reach, who don’t look to have the depth of the Bulls at this stage.
In the final game of the round the unbeaten Lakes Entrance will host St Mary’s Nagle at the Lakeside Oval.
The Seagulls have been ticking along nicely in the opening rounds getting good contributions from new additions Phani Kumar, Sam Kincaid and Jack Timms.
A victory over a Nagle outfit that is struggling at present and looked a little rusty last week would see Lakes Entrance push their case to be genuine finals contender this season.
UMPIRES
“A” grade – round three: Lakes Entrance v St Marys Nagle: Chris Lane and Don Haley; Meerlieu v Orbost: Damien Donohue and Geoff Brew; West Bairnsdale v Paynesville: Mal Leys and Dennis Stevens; Lucknow v Wy Yung: Steve Lind and Ron Smith; Lindenow South Glenaldale v Metung Swan Reach: Damien Tubb and Darren Hine.
Round one – (Sunday): Paynesville v Metung Swan Reach: Steve Lind and Anna Quinsey-Munro.