HAVING already obtained first innings points, Boisdale-Briagolong and Stratford could make a play for outright victory when round 12 of Sale-Maffra cricket resumes on Saturday.
Currently fifth on the ladder, the Saints will be aware an outright result against Sale City would be enough to find themselves back inside the top four.
Currently holding a 64-run first innings lead, the Saints may choose to build on it before sending the Lizards back in. Bowling the Lizards out in 44 overs last week, the Saints will need to ensure they give themselves enough time to take 10 wickets.
With Simon Jago and Michael Cassidy at the crease, the Saints still have batting to come with Louis Howard to follow, while Tom Norman and Andrew Nicholas are also quite capable with the bat.
Currently holding a 64-run first innings lead, the Saints may choose to build on it before sending the Lizards back in. Bowling the Lizards out in 44 overs last week, the Saints will need to ensure they give themselves enough time to take 10 wickets.
Led by captain Jarryd Floyd, the Lizards can be expected to dig in if they are sent in again. Quick runs could be the order of the day for the Saints when play resumes on Saturday.
Redbacks in prime position
STRATFORD has also played itself into a favourable position, but achieving an outright result over Sale will prove difficult.
The Redbacks bowled Sale out in 42.3 overs on day one, and would back its balanced attack to do so again if given the opportunity.
Currently leading by 34, the Redbacks will have to build on their lead significantly before considering sending Sale back in.
Jack Tatterson, unbeaten on 83, and Chris Aurisch can both get going and could play the Rebacks into a commanding position on Saturday, but Sale has a talented line-up and captain Ian Wrigglesworth will do everything in his power to ensure his side staves off outright defeat.
With a tie against Rosedale-Kilmany and victory over Boisdale-Briagolong after the Christmas break, Sale will be hoping it can display some of that form on Saturday.
Breathing space the prize
BREATHING space inside the top four is the prize on the line when play resumes between Rosedale-Kilmany and Maffra on Saturday.
The Warriors will be confident their attack can defend the 297 it has on the board. Brad Scott and Jack Holt, with 21 and 19 wickets respectively, have led the way for the Warriors this season and will be key players in the attempt to take 10 Eagles wickets.
With a strong batting line-up, the Eagles will back themselves to chase down the total, fully aware they will give themselves a good chance if they can bat the 80 overs.
With a half-century in the GCL final on Sunday, captain Brett Lanigan enters in form, while Josh Rurawhe, Heath Shingles, Josh Davis and Harry Thackray are also capable of getting a big score.
Game in the balance
THE match between Bundalaguah and Collegians also remains in the balance, with the home side requiring 257 runs for victory.
A Geoff Wells century set-up Collegians’ competitive total which would normally assume favouritism entering day two, but Bundalaguah boasts a good batting line-up and knows how to win with several batsmen capable of turning a match on its head.
Jason Langshaw will be hoping to get the run chase off to a good start, while captain Matt Dowsett, Daniel Bedggood and Nathan Massey are all capable of getting a big score. Sam Bedggood, Winston Gieschen and Adam Cairns are also quite capable with the bat.
Collegians captain Mark Nicholls and Michael Cafferkey will lead a young attack that will be hoping to take wickets at regular intervals.
If Bundalaguah bats the 80 overs, expect it to win.
