Victory to the combine in this two-day match would take it to the top of the ladder, while a Saints win would help them move more than a game clear of the field.

It appears the combine has the better team on paper, but the Saints continue to answer challenges that have been thrown at them this year. Skipper Vern Cann has led brilliantly from the front, particularly with the bat, where he tops the competition aggregate on 247 runs at an average of 61.75.

The Saints also boast leading wicket taker Tom Foster. The left armer has turned in some impressive displays with the ball, most notably his 6/2 against Navarre early in the season.

Brendon Pieters also has the ability to take wickets with the new ball, while if available, spinner Andrew Dalgleish will play a vital role on the always tricky Alexandra Oval wicket. This wicket has been used just once this season - last Saturday's one-day clash between the Saints and Tatyoon - where it produced 17 wickets for a total of 142 runs. This comes at an average of just 8.35 per batsman.

While the combine clearly has the better batting line-up, it will be the way they attack the match that will prove crucial. Alexandra Oval has always been a difficult one for batsmen and if the likes of Travis Nicholson, Bill Norton, Mick Sullivan and Craig Marrow don't pay respect to the Saints bowlers, a big score will be out of reach.

This is the same for the Saints bats, who have to contend with paceman Marc Brilliant. Brilliant has had an abundance of success against tomorrow's opponent and will be the key.

Cricket finally returns to Central Park tomorrow when Youth Club hosts Navarre.

From all reports the pitch is likely to be a green one, with rolling commencing on Tuesday this week.

The Clubbers will head in as favourites to record their third win of the season after a narrow defeat from the combine last Saturday.

Opening batsman Rob Scott found form and will be an important man in this match, while Marcus Marrow shoulders plenty of responsibility with the new ball.

Quick Chris Jones is a possible inclusion tomorrow after both he and Navin Dharmatilake played B grade last week.

Navarre will be buoyed by its efforts with the ball against Pomonal on Saturday, which saw it trouble the top order, but must still be concerned by its lack of run making ability. Only James Devery, Trent Milne and Gary Hannett have appeared comfortable at the crease this season.

Versatile quick/spinner Rod Summers is a promising prospect for the team and adds zip to an otherwise sluggish bowling attack.

Pomonal will look to secure victory number four on end when it hosts Aradale at Elmhurst.

These two teams have had some fiery encounters in past seasons and will both be desperate for victory.

The Aradale outfit may be lacking confidence after handing Rhymney/Moyston its first points of the season last Saturday, but will be hopeful Nathan Richards can continue his good form with the bat, as can Josh Malcolm with the ball.

Pomonal will be without spinner Simon Donkers and possibly Robert Wilde tomorrow.

Tatyoon should get back on the winner's list for the first time since round two when it hosts Rhymney/Moyston.

The Hawks have had a horror past three rounds, which have seen defeats by Youth Club, Swifts/Great Western and St Andrews, but have the class to win this match.

Rhymney/Moyston will be full of confidence following its surprise win over Aradale, but will simply lack the firepower to trouble the premiers of the past four seasons.

- The new Henry Gunstone Cup draw will be published in Tueday's Stawell Times-News.

A Grade

Pomonal v Aradale (E) - G Jones; Youth Club v Navarre (CP) - G Goldsmith; Tatyoon v Rhymney/Moyston (T) - T McKinnis; St Andrews v Swifts/GW (AO) - H Gunstone.

B Grade

Buangor v Chalambar (B); Halls Gap v Tatyoon (HG); Youth Club v Pomonal (M) - D Gehan; Wickliffe/LB v Swifts/GW (LB) - A Farrish.

C Grade

Aradale v Buangor (A); Chalambar v Swifts/GW (RO) - D Carlon; St Andrews v Halls Gap (GSR); Navarre v Rhymney/Moyston (N); Youth Club v Pomonal (OL).