It’s another huge round of matches in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association this week, with round five another very competitive two-day fixture.
Cricket will return to Glenaladale for the first time this season when the unbeaten Bulls welcome Lucknow, who have shown plenty without being rewarded multiple wins yet.
That isn’t lost on Bulls skipper, Haydn Erfurth, who is looking forward to the challenge.
“We beat undermanned Meerlieu and St Marys Nagle in the first two weeks, before winning over Metung Swan Reach and Paynesville.
“This is realistically our first real test,” Erfurth said.
West Bairnsdale and Metung Swan Reach will do battle at the Swan Reach Recreation Reserve, with both sides going in full of confidence despite West going down to Meerlieu last round.
Brodie Anderson and Ryan Halford will be the big wickets early in the innings if the Swans are to rack up an unlikely third win for the season in this match.
Wy Yung and St Mary’s Nagle will clash at Bullumwaal Road and appear to be well matched.
Ricky Tatnell is due for a big game, which will concern the Tigers batsmen.
Orbost will tackle Lakes Entrance at the Lakes
Entrance Recreation Reserve.
The Seagulls have been impressive, winning all four games thus far this season, but the winless Blues will be mindful that regardless of the standings of the two sides on the ladder, matches between the combatants are always close with this week’s match expected to go down a similar path.
The Blues have some dangerous strikers at the top of the order capable of taking the game away from any side quickly if on song, so Lakes will need to remain in the zone if it wants to make it five in a row.
Paynesville welcomes Meerlieu, who have taken all before them in recent weeks.
It will be interesting to see how the Gulls handle the spin of former Zimbabwean under 19 player Connor Mitchell.
He looms as the main man in an obvious play for outright points by the Tussocks.
