EAST BALLARAT
Wins: 7
Losses: 1
High score: 4-249
Next match: Mt Clear
East Ballarat had a dream start to the 2020-21 Ballarat Cricket Association season. The Hawks wen't undefeated over its first five games - a feat made all the more impressive considering they opened the season with wins against last season's top four sides. COVID-19 restrictions also allowed former Victorian Bushranger Blake Thomson to fall in their lap. Thomson has since returned to Victorian Premier Cricket and a recent loss to North Ballarat showed they can be beaten. For now though, the flag is theirs to lose.
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MT CLEAR
Wins: 6
Losses: 2
High score: 7-248
Next match: East Ballarat
Mt Clear looked among the most impressive sides at times, despite a somewhat friendly schedule to start the season. The club breezed through its early matches before restricting third-placed North Ballarat to a measly 68 runs. However it has yet to overcome East Ballarat and a 71-run loss to Darley before Christmas was concerning. The Mounties bat deep however and boast a lethal bowling attack. Its clash against East Ballarat on January 16 could be a grand final preview.
NORTH BALLARAT
Wins: 5
Losses: 2
High score: 5-240
Next match: Napoleons-Sebastopol
A 50-run win over East Ballarat in round six provided plenty to be optimistic about. Failing to score 90 on two separate occasions didn't. Still, after finishing second last a year ago, North's return to the upper-echelon is the feel-good story of the season. Like any team on the up, consistency is its biggest hurdle. The Roosters might be the hardest team to predict this season and the loss of crafty recruit Vikrant Dabra will hurt. But with upcoming games against lowly-placed clubs, they might cement themselves for finals sooner than expected.
DARLEY
Wins: 6
Losses: 3
High score: 9-244
Next match: Golden Point
At a glance, Darley looks a shell of last year's premiership-winning team. However, despite losing four players and suffering a string of injuries, the Lions have still managed to position themselves as contenders. Losses to East Ballarat and lowly-placed Naps-Sebas were ugly, and they've struggled at times with the bat. But their ability to defend low scores means they can't be counted out. The club looked every bit its old self prior to the break when it handed Mt Clear its first loss in eight weeks. With a number of veterans set to return, a repeat is not out of the question.
WENDOUREE (5 wins)
Wins: 5
Losses: 3
High score: 8-306
Next match: Ballarat-Redan
After a slow start, the Red Caps won a string of matches between rounds four and nine. Their most impressive innings came in a draw against Mt Clear when they hit a total of 8-306 before rain ended play. The score highlighted the club's depth with the bat. Openers Sam Miller and reigning EJ Cleary medalist Cole Roscholler lead the competition in runs made so far, while Heath Pyke boasts the highest individual total of any player this season. They can't be counted out.
BALLARAT-REDAN (4 wins)
Wins: 4
Losses: 4
High score: 8-277
Next match: Wendouree
It has been an up and down season for the club but there are reasons for optimism. A tough schedule made early wins hard to come by and the loss three players to Victorian Premier Cricket depleted some of its batting depth. However Jayden Hayes and Matt Sandford have displayed fine form, while teenager Ryan Aikman has improved with every match. Finals is not out of the question for the club but it will need to win at a consistent rate in the second half of the year.
BUNINYONG (3 wins)
Wins 3
Losses: 5
High score: 9-230
Next match: Brown Hill
Buninyong found itself in a hole after five rounds but managed to claw its way up the ladder with wins over Ballarat-Redan and Naps-Sebas. Finals is not out of the question for the Bunnies, but they will need to prove they can beat top end clubs. With clashes against Wendouree and Mt Clear looming, they will have a chance to do just that.
GOLDEN POINT
Wins: 2
Losses: 5
High score: 7-241
Next match: Darley
The club was pegged as a favorite, but has been unable to recapture the form that landed it a grand final berth last season. Point has been unable to secure a winning streak thus far, with its only two wins coming against cellar dwellers Naps-Sebas and Mt Clear. With a list virtually unchanged from last season, the Pointies are as good as any. Expect a big second half to the season.
NAPOLEONS-SEBASTOPOL
Wins: 1
Losses: 7
High score: 228
Next match: North Ballarat
Expectations weren't high for Naps-Sebas, but it has proven competitive thus far under new coach Dan Davies. The club posted a series of respectable scores before triumphing over Darley to record its first win in 12 months. Finals is probably out of the question this year, but Naps are heading in the right direction.
BROWN HILL
Wins: 1
Losses: 8
High score: 8-228
Next match: Buninyong
It hasn't been the Bulls' year. Batting woes have plagued Brown Hill, which has struggled club to dig in at the crease. Clumps of lost of wickets saw a chances to beat East Ballarat and Golden Point go begging, with its only win coming against Naps-Sebas.
The club will hope a break over Christmas will rejuvenate its players for a January 16 clash against Buninyong. Based on the first nine rounds, finals looks all but impossible freom Brown Hill this season.