By Lachlan Onions
KINGSTON v NARACOORTE WARRIORS
Cricketers from the Millicent and Naracoorte Cricket Association will make their return this Saturday for Round 9 of competition.
Kingston will host the Naracoorte Warriors in a battle between third and fourth on the ladder.
The Saints have won four games this season, while the Warriors have won three games.
Naracoorte heads into this clash off the back of two consecutive victories before the Christmas break.
In Round 8, the Warriors claimed a 31-run win over Lucindale.
The win was built off the back off a strong batting performance in the first innings.
Aaron Haines carried the bat as opener and scored 62 runs, while Loren Bald, Brad Redding and Jason McClure all made handy contributions.
Bald also claimed four wickets in that game and all four players will be crucial for the visitors in this weekend’s contest.
Kingston has impressed this season and comes in off the back of a win over Robe.
Mathew Cridland and Nicholas Dawes will be players to watch for the hosts.
In what should be a fairly even contest, Kingston will head in as slight favourites.
MILLICENT BLACKCAPS v ROBE
Robe will make the trip to McLaughlin Park on Saturday and will hope it can claim its first win since Round 1.
However, it will not come easy as Millicent has looked strong this season despite winning just one game.
The Blackcaps have had four games end without a result this campaign and as a result, find themselves further down the ladder than their ability would suggest.
Millicent’s last game saw the Naracoorte Townies claim a six-wicket win with 14 balls to spare.
Jaxon Cushion and Jacob Todd will be players to watch for the hosts in this weekend’s contest.
Todd has impressed with bat and ball this season and was instrumental in the Blackcaps’ win over the Warriors back in Round 3.
Millicent will head into this contest as comfortable favourites and should claim victory on its home turf.
RENDELSHAM v MOUNT BURR
Rendelsham will host Mount Burr in what could be a fairly one-sided encounter.
The Mozzies have yet to win a game this year, while Rendelsham was won three of its five games.
The season has not been as smooth sailing as the reigning premiers would have liked as they currently sit in fifth place on the ladder.
In Round 9, Rendelsham suffered defeat to the ladder leading Footballers Furner Beachport at home in a top of the table clash.
However, this weekend presents a chance for them to move back into the top four.
For the hosts, Dylan Clough, Jacob Carger and Max Telfer will be players to watch.
Mount Burr heads into this clash off the back of a lengthy break in between games.
After a bye in Round 8 and a week-off in between for the Adelaide Test Match, the Mozzies will take to the crease on Saturday for the first time since December 3.
On that occasion, Mount Burr was bowled out for 100 by Lucindale and the Roos claimed a 72-run win.
The Mozzies will look to Kallan Bevan and Jack Francis to have an impact this weekend as they search for their first victory of the season.
However, Saturday’s game will likely be a similar tale with the reigning premiers expected to claim victory with ease.
NARACOORTE TOWNIES v LUCINDALE
The Townies will look to keep their impressive season going on Saturday when they host Lucindale.
With four wins from five games, the Townies have been one of the strongest and most consistent sides this year.
One of the highlights from the season to date was their ruthless win over Kingston in Round 3, where they bowled the Saints out for 70 and chased down the total in nine overs.
Bredon Smart has led the way for Naracoorte at the top of the batting order and scored an unbeaten 126 back in Round 6.
Along with dominating with the bat, he has also been a solid contributor with the ball as well.
It has been a difficult season so far for Lucindale, with just two wins from six games.
Michael and Shane McGurk have been solid contributors with the bat, while Stewart Hinze, Jesse Hazelman and Daniel McCarthy have all impressed with the ball.
Naracoorte will head into this game as favourites but there is still a chance for Lucindale to pull off an upset.
