THE Hamilton and District Cricket Association A grade season rolls on today with day two of the round 12 games.

St Andrew’s v Pigeon Ponds

THE Drews will be out to consolidate their top four position, as the side defends its day one score at Clem Young Oval.

The home side smashed its way to 4-314 last weekend after losing the toss, anchored by a century from Mike Fitzpatrick.

With two-day games allowing up to two changes between the two weeks, both sides look to be taking advantage of this with Fitzpatrick and John Walsh unavailable today, as the Drews bring in Fraser Hill and Jacob Hill into the team.

Jack Beaton is among the outs for Ponds on day two, which would have no doubt played into the visitors’ decision to bowl first last weekend.

Pigeon Ponds will rely heavily on its top order to make a dent in the chase early on, with the likes of Peter Staude, Noah Hildebrand and Anthony Close needing to shoulder much of the responsibility in the middle.

It won’t be easy though with Josh Nield, Bailey Walsh and Damien Logan all capable of ripping through a batting order.

Drews skipper, Russell Elton, will offer the main spin threat, with A grade debutant, Aiden Brown, also able to chip in with a leg spin option during the day.

Portland Tigers v Casterton District

CASTERTON District will be hoping to chase down the 81 runs required to claim victory on day two at Hanlon Park.

The Maroons’ motivation will be a little extra, with the side set to push up into the top four if they can reach the target of 138, assuming Portland Colts can’t contain ladder-leader, Tyrendarra, in another round 12 clash.

Rick Killey (11) and Kaden Humphries (five) are the not out batsmen, and will be hoping to see off the first overs of the day, as the experienced pair look to start positively.

With Michael Jarrad, Carey Megaw and Connor Kelly still yet to bat, the Maroons should go into the day positive they can chase down the target.

Portland Tigers will need to improve their bowling efforts on day two, conceding 28 extras from just 18 overs.

Artie Harvey has shown he shouldn’t be underestimated with the ball, while Joel Askew, Paul Procter, Saad Mushtaq and Joel Hollis all had moments on day one as well.

Starting day two at 3-57, the visitors will be hoping to finish the day inside the top four and start 2024 in the best possible way.

Hamilton v Gorae-Portland

HAMILTON will be chasing early wickets when it hosts Gorae-Portland at Dahl Turf.

The Blues posted 140 when the final wicket fell on day one and bowled 11 overs at the visitors to finish the opening day, conceding just 25 runs.

The home side knows that if Go-Ports bats the day out, victory will be guaranteed, and the Blues will be attacking the stumps from the outset.

Aggressive fielding will also be critical, with Hamilton searching for just its second win of the season.

Go-Ports desperately need the win to ensure the team remains a top two chance with just three rounds remaining after today.

Grampians v Macarthur

THE Pumas are in danger of seeing finals slip away, as the side returns to Dunkeld Turf for day two against Macarthur this afternoon.

Grampians batted first last week and diligent bowling from the Demons restricted the home side to just 165 all out.

With both teams naming 12 players for the round, there will be a slight change to the two teams today, but the focus will remain squarely on the Grampians bowlers.

The visitors need just over two runs per over to chase down the target, and with plenty of power in Macarthur’s side, Grampians will need to replicate the bowling effort it faced.

With Ollie Wortley, Jack Wortley and Michael Brilley all capable of going big in the top order, the visitors will be confident they can chase down the 166 runs required and keep their narrows finals hopes alive.

Will Collins, Ty Gilmore and Daniel Jones are all capable with the ball though and should not be underestimated on a pitch that can offer a bit extra for bowlers at different times.

College v South Portland

COLLEGE took an aggressive approach to its clash against South Portland, smashing 280 runs then declaring on day one, with South Portland resuming today on 1-7.

South Portland will be hoping for a better effort on day two, needing almost four runs per over to get to the target, but with only nine wickets in hand.

The Eagles’ bowling stocks suit College Turf, with the likes of Lachy Watt and Jordy Anthony able to get a bit of nibble off the pitch, while Adrian Burn, Ross Milne and Russell Bennett also offer something with ball in hand.

College need a strong performance to remain in finals contention, and if the home side can make early inroads into South’s batting stocks, an outright second innings victory could be something the Eagles chase late in the day.

Tyrendarra v Portland Colts

THE ladder leaders are in a strong position against Portland Colts at Tyrendarra Recreation Reserve, with the Darras needing 193 runs for victory.

Colts lost the toss and batted first, with the Darras looking down the barrel of a ninth win of the season if the side can achieve the run chase this afternoon.

With the likes of Jordi Withers and Hamish Withers, Colts will need to find a good length early, with the ladder leaders taking an aggressive approach to their innings, facing just 323 overs to date this season for 1642 runs, while losing just 49 wickets.