Big weekend in cricket as holiday break looms

All three Bunbury and District Cricket Association clashes for this Sunday are set to shape the season as we head towards the Christmas break.

Hay Park is hoping to climb up the ladder when it hosts Dalyellup Beach, while Marist will travel to Leschenault for a clash against the in-form Green Caps.

But the most promising game of the weekend is the grand final re-match between Eaton and Colts.

Both teams are on track for another finals berth, with the Beavers suffering their first one day loss at the weekend, while Colts are coming off a number of dominant wins, including a win in the Twenty20 championships.

The two sides will meet at the Bunbury Recreation Ground in their second meeting of the season, with Eaton winning their first clash by six wickets back in October.

An unbeaten 92 from champion all-rounder James Hillery allowed Eaton to successfully chase down Colts’ imposing total of 6/222.

Young batsman Jayden Goodwin is still missing from the Colts side due to his duties for WA in the under-19 Australian Cricket Championship, hurting what is a strong top order that features the likes of his father Murray, top all-rounders Connor Ipsen and Joe Barningham, as well as classy batsman Tim Raglan.

Eaton all-rounder Clayton Caltsounis said the Beavers were confident despite losing their first one day game of the season at the weekend to Leschenault.

“You don’t want to lose games obviously, but it is not all doom and gloom,” he said.

“Both teams bowled a lot better than they batted.

“They (Leschenault) collapsed in the middle of the innings and we did at the top.”

Caltsounis said he was pleased with his form so far this season, with the all-rounder having scored 183 runs at an average of 61 and taken nine wickets at just 9.2.

But Caltsounis credits his success to his teammates.

“The guys at the top of the order haven’t been collapsing so when I have come in to bat there hasn’t been much pressure,” he said.

“And having Steve Barron at the other end when bowling is pretty handy as well.”

Caltsounis said the Beavers would have to make sure they do not lose early wickets against Colts and would need to be strong in the middle overs against spinners Cruize Ciallella and Barningham.