Rendelsham v Millicent
The replay of the 2023/24 grand final is the highlight of the 13th round of the Millicent Naracoorte Cricket Association on Saturday.
It was 11 months ago that Rendelsham was humiliated by the Millicent Black Hats on their home ground in one of the most one-sided season deciders in living memory.
The home side was bundled out for a mere 63 runs and then took a solitary wicket in their turn in the field.
Come Saturday, the visitors and ladder leaders are well-placed to chalk up another win at this picturesque venue.
The Millicent Black Hats have the bye in round 14 ahead of their title defence and they are planning to be the winner of the inaugural Dale Bateman Memorial Premiership Shield.
Rendelsham had five first-choice players unavailable for round 12 including top-line all-rounders Dylan Clough and vice-captain Jacob Carger.
Injury is set to keep Clough on the sidelines for the remainder of the season while Carger had a social commitment and should be available to play.
Mind you, Rendelsham might well have won against Mount Burr at Mick and Jean Walker Oval on Saturday if veteran Nathan Muhovics had been caught on nought.
He went on to make a match-winning 98.
The Millicent Black Hats have just successfully competed in their first-ever Pink Stumps charity match and it was also a social and fundraising triumph with 200 in attendance.
They will carry this impetus into this match.
Naracoorte Warriors v Naracoorte Townies
The local derby at Wortley Oval is worthy of a big crowd as much is at stake.
The two Naracoorte teams sit just outside of the top four but one or the other might yet play in the major round.
It all depends on the last two games of the home-and-away season.
The Naracoorte Townies are to be commended for their whole-hearted support of the Pink Stumps Day at Norm Facey Oval last Saturday.
Some of the visiting players have extended family with breast cancer in Millicent and so they were keen to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation and its network of breast care nurses.
One such player came out of retirement to play while another well-wisher travelled from Adelaide to be a spectator.
Further backing came from a club sponsor who donated pink caps for every Naracoorte Townies player.
Lucindale v Mount Burr
Mount Burr finds itself in the top four for the first time in the 2024/25 season after slaying both 2023/24 grand finalists in consecutive matches on their home ground at Mick and Jean Walker Oval.
One of the unsung heroes of these games has been veteran bowler Adrian Thompson who snared nine wickets.
This time in the middle will put Mount Burr in good stead as the players travel up the Wattle Range Road to Lucindale.
Their opponents may occupy second place but they have been starved of cricket for a number of weeks.
Lucindale could well be somewhat rusty given they have not played due to a scheduled bye, an extreme heat policy cancellation and a competition-wide bye for the Australia Day holiday long weekend.
