CRICKET
TDCA
Top of the table Glengarry curiously finds itself in payback mode against an old foe this weekend in Traralgon and district cricket.
The Pies go in as raging favourites to finally end their Gormandale hoodoo that stretches close to 15 seasons. Ben Julin, Ryan Delaney and Sam Marks are in good form, while Jarrod Allan and Frank Marks are match winners.
The Tigers will not defend their premiership title this year but will be keen to put a dent in Glen’s charge all the same.
Shaun Barbour and Adam Brady hold the key with the ball, while Kent Hammond, Travis Switzer and Al Jenkin must make big scores.
– Glengarry should win easily.
Imperials v Toongabbie
Both teams have an outside chance at the top four and will throw everything into this match.
Brett Chapman and Daniel Hamilton are keys for Imperials, who must bat well to stand a chance.
Brad Sizeland and Joel Randall will need to back them up with the ball. With Matt Golding (275 runs at 68.75 and 18 wickets) and Tim Dunn (12 wickets at 16.50) in form the Rams have performed well this year, and Rob Wheildon has been a handy inclusion.
If Tom Shippen is available Toongabbie will be hard to beat.
– Imperials to win in a close game.
CATS v Centrals
This is the match of the round in terms of its bearing on ladder positions.
CATS are in fifth and must win while Centrals in third will be keen to consolidate their top four spot.
After an outright last game CATS are full of confidence.
Barney Webber and Dan Nicholls will be keen for big scores to make sure Ryan Foulkes and Brad Foster can bowl Centrals out.
Corey Pollard has led a balanced Centrals team well and Mark Fenech and Dylan Freitag hold the key with the ball.
Jamie Hall, who scored 64 in his last dig, and Mark Rawson, who has made starts in almost every match, need to continue their good form with the willow.
– Centrals to win.
Rovers v MTY Raiders
Can Rovers continue their giant slaying form with another win against last year’s semi-finalists Raiders?
Rovers have been solid and continue to do enough to win games. Pete Ingwersen and Dean Gillard are the key batsmen, while Todd Mann has had a tremendous all round season.
Raiders have not been playing that badly but just can’t get over the line.
Brad Knowles and Liam Maynard have contributed almost a third of Raiders’ runs this year and must fire along with all rounder Mick Higgins.
– Rovers to win.
Traralgon West v Ex Students
There is no-let up for Traralgon West which takes on the might of Ex Students.
The Westerners will be hoping for big games from Jon Bell and Tim Fitch.
The Sharks have no apparent weak link and are steamrolling towards this year’s flag.
Jordan Gilmore and Greg Munro will both be hard to dismiss, while Andy Matthews and Rob Voss are always class acts.
– Sharks in a canter.
