Naps-Sebas will set out in search of 278 runs after Wendouree posted an impressive total to put it in poll position after day one.

Premiership captain Cole Roscholler led the charge, making 98 runs, falling agonisingly close to what would have been an outstanding century. Nonetheless, his contribution at the top of the order will see the Red Caps enter Saturday as favourites.

Wendouree is enjoying a solid season thus far, three wins and two losses sees it in the top four.

But for Naps-Sebas, who was hoping to back-up what was an impressive 2016-17 season and again qualify for finals, there has been little to get excited about.

Even when it did string together form with the bat, the match was eventually washed out across both days.

This Saturday, there will no rain and there cannot be any excuses. The time is now for Naps-Sebas.

Napoleons-Sebastopol sits seventh on the ladder with just one win next to its name and with just three matches after Christmas, due to having a bye in round 10 and 11.

It would require something special for Naps-Sebas to make finals from here, however it does play clubs vying for top four in the back half of the season, but a loss this weekend would end all hope.

ROSS Fenton and Josh Dilworth will return to the crease on Saturday, hoping to carry Ballarat-Redan to its first win of the season.

The Combine will resume at 5-60 in pursuit of North Ballarat’s 165. Ballarat-Redan bowled extremely well to storm through the Roosters tail and a breakthrough victory was a good batting performance away for the young side.

However, Roosters captain Adam Eddy delivered seven brilliant overs to ensure it would not be that easy. Four wickets for just seven runs, along with four maidens, saw him put a firm stamp on the game and have the match sitting on an even keel.

Ballarat-Redan has struggled to make consistent runs with the bat, with many players within the line-up showing signs, but it is yet to put it together as a unit.

Zac Jenkins and Taylor Sutton’s innings on the weekend were prime examples of this.

Both have been two of the brighter lights for The Combine this season, Sutton top-scored with 29 on the weekend, but Jenkins missed out with three. Jenkins has been in great form but it will be up to others to stand up now. 

Skipper Jayden Hayes, who took 6-41 on Saturday, felt Saturday’s line-up was the best it had put forward for the season – particularly from a batting standpoint. If that is the case, now is the time for it to back that statement up and deliver a much sought-after victory.

GOLDEN Point needs 191 runs on Saturday to keep its undefeated start to the season in tact.

The Pointies will resume at 1-10 against Darley, with Tharanga Fernando (five runs) and Josh White (yet to score) at the crease.

The Pointies would have thought they would be chasing a total much smaller than the eventual 200 when it had the Lions at 6-30 and then 9-112.

Sri Lankan recruit Roshan Anuruddha provided some much-needed runs after coming in at number eight.

The all-rounder made 114 to rescue Darley’s innings.

The 200-run total is still very gettable, but a wicket just before stumps was crucial for the Lions.

The opening wicket was claimed by influential bowler Matthew Cape.

Darley will be hoping Cape can produce his best bowling to help guide the Lions to victory.

Cape, on his day, is one of the most dangerous bowlers in the competition and along with his fellow bowlers will be looking to put the heat onto Golden Point right from the word go on Saturday.

If Golden Point can reel in the total, it will be undefeated heading into 2018, a start to the season it would be extremely pleased with.

WHILE for Darley, victory is crucial to stay in touch with the top four. Currently, it is level on points with Mt Clear and East Ballarat – but it will not want to fall behind.

Mt Clear is poised to register its third win of the season and ensure it remains in the top four as we enter the Christmas break.

The Mounties piled on the runs last week, finishing their 80 overs at 8-295.

It was a hard-fought opening partnership that set the innings up.

Openers Steve Nicholson and Darcy Thomson put on 163 runs to give Mt Clear a strong hold on the match.

The pair would eventually fall for 74 and 66 respectively. Interestingly, both being run out by Devon Orr.

There were strong contributions throughout the middle-order and the final score just shy of 300 is sure to test Brown Hill.

Mt Clear captain Thomson was rapt with the total, believing it would take an impressive batting performance to track it down. While the belief he had in his bowling attack meant he was feeling confident heading into Saturday’s day two.

The key for Brown Hill will lie with its senior players.

Captain Ryan Knowles has been a reliable figure in the batting line-up while Tim Knowles made 98 in his last outing. 

While those two will be key scalps for the Mounties, it is likely that the Bulls’ fate will be in the hands of its young players. 

The senior core have shown it can consistently contribute, but if one of the side’s youngsters can step-up, it would be crucial.