AFTER a week of fine weather teams will be out to make hay while the sun shines ahead of the Central Gippsland cricket finals in near perfect batting conditions.
Moe, with the bye, is the team most under pressure for its ladder placing but can do nothing to defend top spot this week.
Latrobe is the main danger and must win outright to claim the minor premiership, while Morwell needs to pile on first innings runs against Trafalgar to be a threat.
The Sharks will be anxious for early wickets against the Bombers and a couple of early wickets could see them on their way.
The Bombers have capable bats in Tyler Brown, Glen and Evan Sheekey and Jeremy Butler but face a stern task to reel in the target.
Morwell has Rob Semmler still at the crease with the promising Glen Bone but have lost key batsmen.
Trafalgar could still thwart Morwell’s hopes of an outright win but need to lift from last week.
Mirboo North will use the day for batting practice as it only needs 115 to establish first innings points.
After three tremendous scores of 300 plus, the Tigers’ batting has been ordinary and they need to regroup before a semi-final against Moe or Latrobe.
Ben Heath is at the crease and will be joined by Shane Peters with Brett Pedlow and Jimmy Watson to follow after Troy Oakley posed late problems last week on a turning pitch.
Sharks dominate
Kookaburra Cup
LATROBE’S season of dominance in the 50 over format continued on Sunday in the $500 Kookaburra Cup clash against Buln Buln at Peter Siddle Oval, Morwell where the Sharks recorded a 14-run victory.
A half century to Anthony Bloomfield (55), who shared a 49-run partnership with Kaushik Aphale (31), lifted the Sharks to 138 all out on a bowler-friendly wicket.
Buln Buln staggered to 8/63 in reply after Rob McKinley (4/34) and a triple wicket over from Brendan Evans (3/30) derailed the run chase.
A rearguard partnership between Cameron Cutler (20) and Callum Stewart (43) gave the visitors hope, but a spell of stump to stump bowling from man of the match McKinley closed the innings out as Buln Buln was dismissed for 124.
Anthony De Leonardis chimed in with 2/21 and Ash Halkett claimed the other wicket.
Latrobe pocketed $350 for the win.
