OUYEN RAMS v NURSERY RIDGE
A POTENTIAL battle for the RCCA minor premiership looms at Blackburn Park with second-placed Ouyen taking on top side Nursery Ridge.
Just five points separate the sides on the ladder, however a victory for the visitors would put them a win-and-a-half ahead with two games left in the home and away campaign.
Ridge made a solid 6/152 against Robinvale Euston last week with Shannon Bowen again starring by making 90. In 10 innings, Bowen has made six half-centuries, and a total of 578 runs.
Veteran Allan Brown (4/13) and Jason Finch (3/5) led the bowling against the Rangers, with Finch now on top of the RCCA wicket takers tally with 26.
It was a solid total of 8/173 for the Rams last week and despite leading run scorer Conor Schultz being knocked over for a duck, there was plenty of support through Dom Leach (41), Alex Morrish (40) and Ethan Munro (38).
Dom Pryse also inspired Ouyen with the ball, taking an incredible 7/21 from seven overs, the best individual haul of the season.
CARDROSS v TEMPY
AFTER a flat start to the season, Tempy all of a sudden find themselves inside the top four with three rounds remaining until finals.
While the Tigers are still a fair way off the top three, a win away against Cardross today would go a long way to them securing a semi-final contest.
Tempy have recorded consecutive wins over Robinvale Euston and Millewa, however, the Tigers didn’t make it easy for themselves last week after rolling Millewa for 90, just getting across the line by two wickets.
Zac Roberston starred with an impressive 5/7 while Tate Hulland’s 28 was also important in the chase.
It was a tough day at the office for Cardross last week with Ouyen making 173 against them before they were rolled for 55.
Missing leading wicket taker Noah Lanigan certainly didn’t help, despite Brendon Flory impressing with 3/33.
MILLEWA v ROBINVALE EUSTON
After they were displaced in the top four by Tempy, Millewa would love a victory over Robinvale Euston to try to keep pace with the competition.
The Rangers have impressed in their return to the competition but have tasted defeat in their last two games.
Robinvale Euston were rolled for just 69 against ladder leaders Nursery Ridge last week, with only Don Falvo (19) and Ethan Gill (12) reaching double figures.
Ryan Middlebrook was the only multiple wicket taker last week, but he and Travis Shawcross, Ryan Kitt and Jesse McGinty have all taken plenty of scalps across the campaign.
Despite being knocked over for less than 100 last week, the Bullants gave themselves every opportunity to win by taking eight Tempy wickets during the chase. Last week’s leading wicket takers Tim Plumridge (3/6) has eight wickets in his last three games, while Anthony Carroll (3/13) has 11 in his last three.
