Testing weekend for rep cricketers

Top Hamilton cricketers have a big couple of days ahead of them.

The Eddy Marr Bowl two-day club competition swings into action today at Galloway Park (with matches spread over two weekends) and immediately after today's play the Hamilton team will head to Whangarei to face Northland tomorrow in their penultimate Brian Dunning Cup one-day match.

Fraser-Tech will be keen to carry their winning momentum from the one-day competition into today's opening round.

They face Furnace Old Boys and will be confident after getting the better of them last weekend.

Lonestar Hamilton Boys' High School take on Suburbs and will be eager to repeat their efforts of last season when they took out the competition.

Star Varsity will be hoping to turn around their form from the one-dayers where they failed to win a match, but they meet a Melville side that look to be coming into a bit of form.

Hamilton had two good wins in their first two Brian Dunning Cup matches in Taupo recently, but a loss to Waikato Valley in their third match hindered their progress and tomorrow's match at Cobham Oval is vital if they are to have a hope of picking up the required points for a Hawke Cup Challenge – the national competition for district associations.

Captain Nathan Daley said the loss to Waikato Valley was more disappointing because Bay of Plenty overtook them in the standings and they would have to hope results went their way if they were to get a challenge.

Daley was looking for an inspired performance by his team against Northland, with the added hope of a bonus point win.

"We'll just do what we can do I suppose," Daley said.

The wicketkeeper/batsman enjoys the responsibility of leading from the front for Hamilton and also playing a senior role with his Fraser-Tech club.

"The Hamilton team this year's quite different and quite young so I'm enjoying it this year," he said.

Northland will have Northern Knights James Marshall, Brad Wilson, Michael Parlane and Joseph Yovich available.

Waikato Valley are also in action tomorrow and they host Counties Manukau at Victoria Square in Cambridge.

DRAW

Suburbs vs HBHS, Galloway Park 1, Old Boys vs Fraser-Tech, Galloway Park 2, Melville vs Star Varsity, Galloway Park 3. Hamilton: Nathan Daley (c), Keir Bettley, James Baker, Anton Devcich, Brook Hatwell, Bruce Martin, Lance Martin, Andrew Mathieson, Cedric English, Grant Bell, Michael Dodunski, Owen Ivins. Waikato Valley: Keith Vincent (c), Fraser Kilgour, Jake Bezzant, Brendon Revell, Rhys McCarthy, Andrew McLean, Adam Flegg, Leighton Parsons, Ben Speake, Brett Sorenson, Eli McKillop, Ross Fitz-John.