By Jonty Ralphsmith
Every game in round six of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association premier competition is set to have meaningful implications on the season.
Undefeated teams Cardinia and Pakenham are set to face off, while Kooweerup hosts Tooradin with the loser set to diminish their grip on a top four spot.
Merinda Park has Devon Meadows, with the Cobras desperate to get their first win of the season, while the Panthers will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss against Clyde.
Clyde, meanwhile, has Upper Beaconsfield.
The Cougars need to win these sort of games if they are to challenge for finals after a tough start to the season, while the Maroons will be looking to prove themselves after a weak month.
Cardinia’s clash with Pakenham pits two sides against each other that have found ways to win without any starring contributions.
Both have been reliant on bit-part contributions and cameos with the bat, with the middle and lower order of each team working hard to rescue them from sticky situations on multiple occasions.
Powerhouse Kooweerup has been strengthened by all-rounder Shiran Rathnayake in the off-season, with their depth arguably the best in the competition.
It will pose an intriguing test for Tooradin which has had a par start to the season, but has been hurt by the stability and wicket taking of Pete Sweeney and Brad Butler.
At Tony Way Recreation Reserve, it will likely be a battle of which team’s depth shines brighter.
For the Cobras, Daniel McCalman has done most of the work with the bat, and Matt Dennerley with the ball, with others getting starts but unable to rise when the game is on the line.
Devon Meadows has been similarly dependent on experienced leaders Lucas Ligt, Chris Cleef and Jakeb McVicar.
The Cougars are among the form teams of the competition despite round 5 being their first win of the season, with the club exceeding expectation in each of the past three rounds despite the mixed outcomes.
They have found their best batting combination and the bowling lineup is firing which poses a great challenge for Upper Beaconsfield.
CARDINIA v Pakenham, Merinda Park, CLYDE v Upper Beaconsfield, KOOWEERUP v Tooradin, Merinda Park v DEVON MEADOWS
