CRICKET
CGCA
MIRBOO North Tigers are licking their wounds after tasting defeat for the first time this year against the Sharks, but return to their lair this week prepared to maul the travelling Yallourn North Bombers.
The Tigers failed to chase a low target last week, struggling against quality seam bowling, making contributions from Lucas Fry, Rowan Kelly and captain Glenn Sheekey all the more important for the Bombers.
Yallourn North will be determined to get a result knowing that their seam attack is the key to victory.
Rob Phoenix failed last week for Mirboo North with no wickets or runs but that was an anomaly in an otherwise unrelenting record of excellence.
The Bombers will need to have a plan in place and stop him bouncing back to gain the ascendancy.
Across town at Peter Siddle Oval, Morwell faces Latrobe after both sides scored confidence-boosting wins at the weekend.
Morwell got out of jail against Trafalgar while Latrobe pulled off a fantastic heist against Mirboo North.
Each team has a chance to steal second place from Yallourn North with a win in this clash.
Morwell’s bowlers will be keen to expose the Sharks’ lower order with the ball, knowing that most of the runs come from Anthony Bloomfield and Kaushik Aphale.
Latrobe will be boosted by the return of opening bowler Brendan Evans, strengthening an attack which dismissed the powerful Mirboo North batting lineup for just over 100 last week.
After narrowly missing out on a victory last week, Thorpdale will be keen to challenge for the points against an inconsistent Moe team.
The Lions have been struggling this year but there have been some positive signs in recent weeks, with Andrew Philip getting support from the likes of Jayden Mathison and Sean Spiteri.
The Blues did well to push Yallourn North last round and will be confident they can give Moe a scare, with the Conradie brothers looking to hit their straps.
The bowling needs to tighten up; Boyd Bailey has led the charge with support from Travis and Shannon Pickering, but the rest of the bowlers are leaking runs.
