Rochester has the opportunity to move to the top of the table should they get by regional rival BLU on Saturday. Photos: Bruce Povey.
After the holiday period, the region’s cricketers are rested, refreshed, and gearing up to return to action on Saturday.
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Round 10 brings a host of intriguing battles as the leaders look to hold on to what they have, and the chasing sides fight to break away from the congestion of mid-table.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that round 10 serves as a one-day revisiting of the two-day round seven match-ups, where day two was washed out, preventing sides from going on with their day one starts.
Current leaders and three-time defending champions Echuca have another seven days to watch and wait as they take a bye for the round of one-day fixtures, but the leader will lose its place on top if either Rochester or Moama cash in.
Moama has a tricky fixture to negotiate, taking on contenders Leitchville-Gunbower at Moama Recreation Reserve.
L-G has its own table position to attempt to cling on to, currently holding fourth over Bamawm-Lockington United by quotient.
Both sides have struggled to find a standout among their squads, different players stepping up in several of their wins.
When the teams met in round seven, the weather derailed Moama’s strong position.
Moama is also eyeing up top spot, but needs to get past Leitchville-Gunbower at the weekend.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Moama made a total of 263 on the first day but wasn’t provided the opportunity to defend it as day two was washed out.
Another battle with strong table implications is the contest between second-placed Rochester and fifth-placed BLU at Windridge Oval.
There is plenty on the line for both sides as Rochester could take top spot with a win, while BLU could leap into the top four should they prevail.
Back in round seven, BLU would have been hopeful of grabbing points after setting a challenging 254 on day one.
A step down the table are Kyabram Fire Brigade and Echuca South, who are both looking to return to the finals conversation with a win at Northern Oval, Kyabram.
Both are at 3-4, a game behind the current fourth place, and either side will find it difficult to claw their way back up the table should they drop points here.
The Flames have a six-point advantage on the current table after earning maximum points against Nondies-Cohuna in their round eight two-day fixture.
From the data we gained in the interrupted round seven, the Swans look as if they have the edge in the match-up, bowling Fire Brigade out for 169 in that game and reaching 4-62 in reply on the first day.
At the foot of the table, Tongala and Nondies-Cohuna are set to battle at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
Tonny earned an unlikely first win at the expense of leader Echuca before the break, and will look to continue its momentum against winless Nondies.
Both sides’ batting line-ups have looked fragile through most of the season, but equally their bowlers have struggled to take wickets, so it remains to be seen whether we are in for a high or low-scoring contest.
McMahon Shield matches return this Saturday, January 11, with the first balls set to be bowled at noon.
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