The Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) returns this weekend with the action set to hot up. Today we look at what has gone and what may come.
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ALLANSFORD
Story so far: A slow start to the season for the 2017-18 runner-up. The Gators are ninth with three wins and some work to do. Have yet to win two games in a row.
What lays ahead: Will be hoping the two-day format better suits their game but first have to negotiate a Twenty20 game against Russells Creek this Saturday.
The star: Mitchell Clark has been solid with both bat and ball, making 223 runs and claiming 16 wickets.
BRIERLY-CHRIST CHURCH
Story so far: The Bulls have six wins, matching their output from the whole of last season. Were runners-up in the one-day final to Russells Creek. Showed they are quick learners by turning the tables on the reignning premier just two weeks later in a Twenty20 game.
What lays ahead: A home game against Port Fairy on Saturday followed by a trip to Merrivale.
The star: Quality has come from the top with captain Mark Murphy scoring 284 runs and taking 13 wickets.
DENNINGTON
Story so far: The Dogs sit in fourth spot, thanks mainly to a four-game winning streak from rounds four to seven. Two byes in the pre-Christmas period made it hard to build momentum, something they will need to ward off teams below them.
What lays ahead: West Warrnambool and Port Fairy confront the Dogs in Twenty20 action on Saturday, two of the teams that will be at their heels to steal their top-four place.
The star: English import Chris Cheslin has been a handy inclusion with 15 wickets and some useful outings with the bat.
EAST WARRNAMBOOL-YCW
Story so far: The Broncos remain winless but there have been positives, with some gutsy efforts with bat and ball. The two-dayers will be a challenge, with teams fighting for finals eyeing outright wins.
What lays ahead: Two games away from Jones Oval on Saturday, with the Broncos up against Wesley-CBC and West Warrnambool.
The star: Sri Lankan recruit Pubudu Fernando has made an impressive debut, including a five-wicket haul and passing 20 with the bat on five occasions.
MERRIVALE
Story so far: The Tigers are just outside the top four after six wins. Got off to a flying start, winning the first four games, before coming back to the field.
What lays ahead: The Tigers will need to put the festive season quickly behind them with a Twenty20 double-header against Woodford and Brierly-Christ Church on Saturday.
The star: Joint captains Jeremy Burgess and Josh Stapleton have led the way while Mark Jones has been productive with 19 wickets.
NESTLES
Story so far: It’s been a tough start to the season for Geoff Williams’ young team. The Factory have managed just three wins to be off the pace and with a task ahead to push for a finals place.
What lays ahead: Huge games on Saturday against Russells Creek and Wesley-CBC
The star: Williams has been steady with bat and ball while Jackson Couch has proven to be a good addition from Nirranda with 12 wickets.
PORT FAIRY
Story so far: Made the most of a kind early draw, winning all four of its opening rounds, which included three on home soil. Have struggled since, losing six of its next seven, including its last four before Christmas.
What lays ahead: Tough ask first game back on Saturday against Brierly-Christ Church and following up with another big test against Dennington.
The star: Jason Perera has made a scintillating start to the season, with 353 runs and 27 wickets.
RUSSELLS CREEK
Story so far: The defending champion is seven points clear at the top of the table. Looked unstoppable with the first six wins and the one-day crown but a couple of losses show it has challenges to face.
What lays ahead: Nestles at home and Allansford away are the first of those challenges in Saturday’s Twenty20 double-header.
The star: Can’t go past Cameron Williams, with the skipper producing an extraordinary start to the season. Already 711 runs with two hundreds and four half-centuries.
WESLEY-CBC
Story so far: Indifferent start for the Beavers with five wins and just as many losses. This has them in the middle of the pack. Will need to step up against the best teams, having only one win over a team above them, a Twenty20 victory against Dennington.
What lays ahead: A Twenty20 double-header on Saturday against East Warrnambool-YCW and Nestles, both below them on the ladder.
The star: No batsmen in the WDCA top 10 for runs but two bowlers, James Dalton (20) and Tom Bowman (19), in the top bracket for wickets, suggests the Beavers need more from their top order.
WEST WARRNAMBOOL
Story so far: Not the ideal beginning for the Panthers who are in 10th place with four wins. Can still make finals but need good two-day form to make up ground.
What lays ahead: Need to win Twenty20 fixtures against Dennington and East Warrnambool-YCW on Saturday.
The star: Ben Threlfall has been consistent at the batting and bowling crease and will need to keep producing the goods.
WOODFORD
Story so far: The WDCA powerhouse is on a roll. The Eels lost three of their first four games before storming into contention by winning their last six. Now in third place and looking the part.
What lays ahead: Just one game on Saturday, a Twenty20 encounter at Jack Keane Oval against Merrivale.
The star: No surprise it’s Nick Butters. The captain has been in everything, taking 11 wickets and knocking up 386 runs.
