The two sides sit third and fourth respectively on the ladder, meaning the winner will advance and the loser is likely to find itself out of the top four by the end of the round.

BMS will be full of confidence after knocking off the previously undefeated Ballarat last week, while the Lakies slipped from second to third after losing to Creswick.

Learmonth president and division one player David Kelly said while it was not up to the task last weekend, he was confident the side would respond this week.

“We were out-bowled on the day, nothing against Creswick they’re a very good side, we didn’t lose by very much, but we just weren’t good enough...hopefully we can get back on the winning track this week,” Kelly said.

“We’re quietly confident we can get over the line.

“They (BMS) look like they’re in pretty good form.

“It will be a defining game.

“It should be a tight game.

“We’re on our home deck which is always an advantage.

“We’re pretty close on the ladder, so one of us will go ahead of the other, so it’s important to get these early wins.”

Learmonth will be without Leon Davey and Grant Bourke, who are unavailable this week.

Two players will come up from division three, but boast division one experience.

“They’ve played division one before, so it’s not foreign territory for them – we look forward to the challenge.”

Kelly said regardless of the previous weeks result, things stayed much the same in preparation for the weekend.

“We don’t do anything different, we just approach every game the same.

“We get out there and bowl and hopefully that’s good enough to get over the line.”

In other division one action, Mt Xavier and Webbcona face-off.

The two teams sit sixth and seventh respectively on the ladder, hoping to rise into the four.

Creswick will be hoping to keep its strong form up, and a top two position, when it takes on bottom-of-the-table Ballarat East on Saturday.

Ballarat will be out to get back on the winner’s list when it faces City Oval. After dropping its first game of the season last week, it will take on another challenger in City Oval, sitting just outside the four.

Central Wendouree will host Smeaton.