The twin town rivals are locked in a four-way tie for first position on the ladder with last year’s grand finalists Fire Brigade and Rochester.
There is a 12-point gap to teams sitting outside the top four.
And Echuca coach Jon Varcoe said his players were prepared for a massive test against their rivals from north of the Murray.
“Every game is important for the remainder of the season,” he said.
“We are going to have to play our best cricket if we are going to win this game. I thought we played well in parts against Fire Brigade, but we weren’t consistent for 90 overs.
“The weekend should be a very exciting contest and hopefully we can come out on top.”
In other A grade matches, Fire Brigade will fancy its chances of getting back on the winners’ list when it faces Cooma at Northern Oval.
Cooma remains rooted to the foot of the ladder having failed to win a game this season.
Meanwhile, Echuca South will be hoping to make the most of any slip up by the top four.
The fifth-placed Swans travel to take on a Tongala side which has performed well below expectations this season.
And in the final game of the round, Bamawm Lockington United and Rochester will look to carry on their strong starts to 2021.
BLU accounted for Tongala on January 9 while Rochester was far too good for Cooma.
On Sunday, reigning A grade women’s premiers Echuca will take to the field for its first game of the new year against BLU.
Despite Echuca winning its previous meeting easily in the year, Varcoe said he was expecting a tough contest.
“BLU are a side who are improving every week,” he said.
“Everyone is looking forward to getting back out on the field after a few weeks off.
“And it’s exciting we get to do it in a 30-over game.”
Tennis
FRIENDSHIPS will become a mini rivalry for a few hours at least at Echuca Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday afternoon as the Campaspe Tennis Association prepares to return to action.
Echuca Lawn 1 will look to maintain its place in the competition’s top four when it faces off against clubmates Echuca Lawn 2, which is six points adrift in sixth place.
Ladder leader Rich River 1 will look to maintain its status as the team to beat when it takes on Lockington Bamawm United 1 which has won just a single match this season.
Meanwhile, Echuca South 2 will be looking to keep the pressure on the pace setters when it travels to take on Elmore 1.
Echuca South 2 and Rochester face off in the day’s other game.
Bowls
RICH River will be desperate to get back on the winners’ list on Saturday following its shock loss to Mathoura to start 2021.
And there is no better way to show it was just a one-off result than by beating Moama, which now leads the competition.
The meeting highlights a big weekend of Campaspe Valley Bowls Division action in which Tongala will travel to take on Mathoura.
Meanwhile Rochester hosts Echuca.
Mid-week pennant will return on Friday, January 22.
More local sport
Bowls report | January 13
Mathoura spring a CVBD surprise to start 2021
Echuca United loads up with two talented arrivals
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