THE Adelong Donkeys will be out to continue their winning ways when they take on Gundagai at Adelong Showground.
The Donkeys are in third place on the Elders Cup ladder after their impressive win against grand finalists Wyangle at the Bul Paddock last Saturday, but they will remember that Gundagai have scored a win against them this season.
However, Gundagai, who were well beaten by Tumut Plains last Saturday, know beating the in-form Adelong is a big task.
“It will be a tough game,” Gundagai captain Caleb Lindley-Kell said.
“In this competition every game is a tough game as I think any team can beat anyone if they have the right players turn up on the day.”
Batting well will be Gundagai’s main focus.
“Our batting is our thing that we would have to concentrate on the most,” Lindley-Kell said. “We know we can bowl it’s just about having enough runs to defend or put pressure on the other side.”
Wyangle will be looking for a return to best form when they take on competition leaders Coolac at the Bull Paddock.
Unfortunately they will have to do it without key player Ryan Bulger.
“Playing Coolac anytime is a big challenge but without our inspirational leader Ryan Bulger it’s going to make it a massive mountain that we will have to Climb in order to beat the comp leaders on Saturday,” Wyangle’s Dave Shedden said.
“Add to this the fact that we will also be missing Mark Bradshaw and Ronan Butler and it’s just going to make the task a lot harder. It’s always a friendly rivalry between the two sides. I just hope we can make a game of it for the sake of the game. I don’t really know if there are any lessons to be learnt (from last Saturday’s loss); our batting just hasn’t been up to the mark and our training session was washed out yesterday afternoon so that doesn’t help things either. The mood in the camp is good and one thing for sure the side that takes the paddock on Saturday will take it with plenty of determination to make Coolac earn every run and every wicket that they get.”
The Murrumbidgee Mankadders are the big improvers of the season, having racked up three wins, and they will need that improved form when they face premiers Tumut Plains at Borambola tomorrow.
The men in pink are welcoming the challenge.
“Looking forward to the contest against Plains; they have the best depth in the competition,” Captain Michael Hargreaves said.
They are happy to be playing at Borambola.
“Playing at home is always an advantage,” Hargreaves said.
“We haven’t played Plains or Coolac with our best XI yet and I’m hoping we have that Saturday.
“We’ve lost Josh Williams for the season, which is a massive blow as he’s been one of the standout bowlers in the competition this season. He will be hard to replace as a player and as a character, he’s awesome to have around. We have drafted in Lewis Pulver, which helps our bowling stocks. We have Nelson Foley, Will Bingham and Jack Woodhouse back in the team this week and that makes me confident we can give Plains a run for their money.”
