HAMILTON will host Pigeon Ponds at Dahl Turf today in what is shaping up to be an intriguing and fierce contest to headline round 14 of the Hamilton District Cricket Association (HDCA) A grade competition.

Both teams are in the top three and will be hoping to stamp their authority over their opponent as the finals near.

Ponds are coming off just their third loss for the year against a top-of-the-table College outfit and will be looking to get back on the winners list this afternoon.

Hamilton goes into the game after having the bye last week and two losses prior to that, so will be desperate to try and cement its spot in the top four.

Ponds captain, Peter Staude, was among the run scorers last week and will be looking to repeat that performance and get his team off to a good start at the top of the order.

The Ponds have a deep batting line-up with most of the team capable of taking the reins and scoring big on any given day.

Murray Staude and Simon Close have scored plenty of runs this year and will be eyeing off big scores, as Hamilton will be hoping to reduce their impact on the game.

Michael Ross showed some touch for the Blues the other week, smashing 77 and will be a big wicket if he can carry that form into this game, while Tobi Cook also has the ability to score quickly and will have a big impact on the outcome of the game.

Early wickets will be crucial for Hamilton, and they will look towards the openers in Hamish Kearney and Cam Templeton to get some important breakthroughs in a game which could go either way.

Casterton District v College

THE Maroons will face a formidable Eagles side on their home deck at Island Park today with the hope to cause an upset and bring home their second win of the year.

Sitting at separate ends of the ladder, it looks to be a tough outing for the home side, as College continues to cruise through the season in tremendous touch.

Captain, Charles Murrie (458 runs), and the ever-reliable Hamish Bailey (311 runs) are having stellar seasons and if the Maroons are a chance, they will need to send these two back to the sheds early.

Having taken the second-most wickets in the competition, the Eagles are also damaging with the ball and will look to youngster, Henry Bensch to lead the way and add to his season tally of 14 wickets.

Despite not putting the wins on the board this season, Casterton District took some positive steps last week, as young guns, Kaden Humphries (73) and Connor Kelly (67-not-out) found some form with bat in hand which will boost their confidence going into today’s game.

The Maroons will look to welcome back the dangerous duo of Matt and Rick Killey who will give the side’s winning chances a big boost.

Having scored 287 runs and taken 10 wickets, Rick has been huge for the home side this year and will look for another big score to try and push his side over the line.

Macarthur v Grampians

THE Demons will be pushing their case to earn a top four spot when they take on the Pumas at Macarthur Recreation Reserve today.

Not much separates these two teams ahead of the game, with just one win and three points splitting them on the ladder.

There is a lot at stake for both sides; a Grampians win could see them solidify its spot in the top four, while a Macarthur win could put the home team into the finals race.

When the sides met in round seven for a T20 game, it was the Pumas who got the better of Macarthur, as they rolled them for 69 and cruised to a comfortable win.

The home side has seen some handy inclusions to the batting department, including Kyall Timms who wasted no time showing his class in the association, scoring an unbeaten century on his second hit of the season.

Matt Timms has taken 15 wickets in just 28.5 overs this season with an average of 8.47 and will be one to watch with the ball.

On the other hand, this is a big game for the reigning premiers who have showed glimpses throughout the season, but have not delivered in some key moments.

The Pumas have lost three out of their last four games and will look to experienced players in Will Collins and Carl Joyce to deliver big scores and set them up for a win.