Top teams to clash in round three

After two rounds of the Revital Fertilisers premier one-day competition there are two teams sitting on top of the table.

Stratford Cricket Club have scored bonus point victories over Ha¯wera and Francis Douglas Memorial College, while New Plymouth Boys’ High School have dealt blows to Inglewood and Ha¯ wera.

These two teams square off against each other in round three.

For both of these teams a win this weekend will go a long way towards securing a semifinal spot.

For Stratford the key to their success so far has been the top of the order, with both Tyla Judson and Liam Muggeridge averaging more than 40 runs.

Namibian international Christopher Coombe has got straight into his work for the club side, picking up seven wickets so far and leading from the front with the new ball.

For Boys’ High, Oliver Burbidge has impressed in the first two rounds, scoring an unbeaten half-century in round one then taking a five-wicket bag in round two.

Shale Foy and Sebastian LauderdaleSmith have also scored half centuries for the school side so far.

In team news for the weekend, Stratford have a major boost to their side with Black Caps T20 international Tom Bruce cleared to play after recovering from key hole surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.

Ryan Anderson makes way for Bruce’s inclusion.

In the other change, Oli Hall will take the gloves because Trent Conway is unavailable.

Boys’ High will make the one change, with Archie Taylor coming in for Sam Rankin.

For the school side to be competitive they will need to contain the Stratford top order. They will be reliant on Jason McGrath to continue to hit his line and length as the left arm finger spinner has opened the bowling in the first two rounds.

In other games this weekend, unbeaten New Plymouth Old Boys take on the winless Woodleigh side who welcome back their skipper and Taranaki batsman Shaun Sullivan.

New Plymouth Marist United travel to Ha¯ wera and Inglewood look to continue the misery for Francis Douglas.