CRICKET
CGCA
MORWELL travels to Moe keen to pick up the points against a weakened Lions team in round five of Central Gippsland cricket.
Moe sits second last on the ladder and has a long list of players missing from last year’s finals triumph, while the Tigers lie third and need to improve their consistency to remain there.
Their dismissal for 48 two weeks ago will have sown seeds of doubt in the minds of the batting lineup, which has relied on solo efforts in most of their wins so far.
Canadian import Riyaz Pathan has failed to make an impression so far and will be keen to change that this week, while Wayne Fleming and captain Craig Giddens have the ability to score big runs without converting this season.
For Moe, Andrew Philip has been carrying the side with both runs and wickets and will need more support from his teammates if they are to have any chance of turning around a horror start to the season.
Trafalgar v Yallourn North
TRAFALGAR faces Yallourn North on the Bombers’ turf keen to regain some momentum in the second last round of one-day matches.
Yallourn North has the bye next week and begin the two-day campaign afterward, and players are looking to seal a spot in the side.
The Aidan Vesty Josh Keyhoe partnership continues to be a work in progress, with runs coming from different contributors every week.
Evan Sheekey will be disappointed with his efforts so far this season, while Tyler Brown has also been lacking form.
The bowling has been the Bombers’ strong suit so far, with Glenn Sheekey and Rowan Kelly getting the job done with great support from Luke and Ryan Nelson.
Trafalgar will be disappointed with their start to the season, having won just the one game against Thorpdale.
The whole team needs to lift and better support their captain in a hurry, or risk their entire season falling off the rails.
Mirboo North v Thorpdale
MIRBOO North hosts Thorpdale and the Blues could be in for a long day in the field.
Blues captain Boyd Bailey was unavailable last week and the bowling attack lacked his accuracy and skill.
The bowling lineup has been the positive for Thorpdale so far, while the batting has been shambolic.
Aging veteran Harvey Poole is the sole batsman to rise to the challenge so far, with Steve Hibbs and Kayne O’Connell both short of runs.
South African twins Henk and Schalke Conradie both failed against Morwell last week but will be out to prove their class against the premiership front runner.
For Mirboo North, Rob Phoenix has been a fantastic addition with runs and wickets aplenty, while other new arrivals Peter and Brad Grima have both played key roles.
Latrobe has the bye.
Central Gippsland kicks off its Gippsland Cricket League campaign on Sunday against Warragul.
