Race to cricket finals goes to last round

THE race for a place in the Bendigo District Cricket Association’s first XI finals has gone until the 12^th and final round.

Four clubs are vying to hold or grab the third and fourth rungs on the ladder when play hits off at 1pm on February 28 and March 7.

One of the most important showdowns will be at Bendigo District RSL Oval in Weeroona Oval where second-placed Sandhurst takes on third-placed Kangaroo Flat.

The Dylan Gibson-led Sandhurst scored a 105-run victory on Bendigo United’s turf at Harry Trott Oval last round to claim the John Turner Memorial Cup.

In-form players for the Dragons include Ash Gray, Jasper Langley, Taylor Beard, Liam Bowe and Ben Yarwood.

Kangaroo Flat is on the rebound from a six-wicket loss to the ladder-leading Strathdale-Maristians.

The Chris Barber-led Roos have the big-game experience of Adam Burns, Brent Hamblin, Dylan and Jake Klemm.

Daniel Barber and Riley Burns are capable of playing a big innings.

Eaglehawk hosts Strathdale-Maristians at National Heating and Cooling Oval in Canterbury Park.

The Nathan Walsh-led Eaglehawk is fourth on the ladder and desperate to hit back from a loss on Golden Square’s turf.

It’s a huge challenge for the Borough against the reigning premier.

Key players for Eaglehawk include Ben and Josh Williams, Angus Chisholm, Cory and Linton Jacobs.

The return of experienced bowler Aaron Monro is a huge plus.

A Strathdale-Maristians team captained by Grant Waldron has significant depth in batting and bowling.

A powerful batting line-up includes Daniel Clohesy, Matt Wilkinson, Cameron Taylor and James Vlaeminck.

On the bowling front it was Jasper Irwin, Will Purcell, Sam Johnston and Cameron Taylor who led the way in the win against the Kangaroos.

The fifth-placed Bendigo United will be back home at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street to face White Hills.

Although it’s against an opponent which has the one win, Bendigo United cannot afford to take this contest lightly.

Opening batter Oliver Geary struck 140 in a score of 272 for White Hills against Bendigo last round.

The Demons also had Gavin Bowles and Caleb Barras bat well against the Goers who answered with 4-286.

A Bendigo United team captained by Harry Donegan includes Marcus Mangiameli, Jack Kesteven, Miggy Podosky, Nick Gladman and Darcy Mills.

The Demons’ line-up includes captain Ben Irvine, Lincoln Jacobs and Angus O’Brien.

Huntly North will be on home turf at Time Saver Liberty Oval in Strauch Reserve to take on Golden Square.

Power will be determined to improve on its first innings of 68 at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park last round.

Captain and opening batter Ryan Gundry and young gun Judd Gilchrist played well in Huntly North’s second innings against the Jets.

Power’s team to take on the Bulldogs includes Shane Gilchrist, Kyen Burrill-Grinton, Sandun Rathnatunga and Tommi Raukola.

A superb win against Eaglehawk has kept Golden Square’s finals hopes alive.

Captain Liam Smith and Tom Campbell scored unbeaten centuries as the Bulldogs reached 3-237 in reply to the Hawks’ tally of 160.

A strong line-up for Golden Square includes Scott Trollope, Tim Wood, Scott Johnson and Kyle Humphrys.

Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye will be aiming to finish on a winning note when they clash at Lead Advisory Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.

Captain James Ryan struck 151 runs as Bendigo hit 4-286 off 72 overs in reply to White Hills target of 272.

It was the Goers’ best batting performance of the season as opening batter Kyle Chant struck 99.

The Bendigo team to face the Jets includes Brodie Reaper, Xavier Ryan, Nathan Fitzpatrick and Dylan Johnstone.

Strathfieldsaye was superb on day one of its clash with Huntly North as it dismissed the visitors for 68 as Ben Devanny captured 6-12 off seven overs and captain Campbell Love took two wickets.

The Jets’ charge to 4 declared 201 was led by Darcy Hunter, Chathura Damith, Zoltan Smyth and Campbell Love.

Bendigo DCA first XI ladder after 11 rounds:

Strathdale-Maristians 54, Sandhurst 52, Kangaroo Flat 36, Eaglehawk 36, Bendigo United 34, Golden Square 30, Strathfieldsaye 28, Bendigo 18, Huntly North 18, White Hills 6.