After picking up a much-needed win last weekend, Exies Eagles will be looking to maintain their momentum when they take on Hanwood at Hanwood Oval on Saturday.
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The Exies side was able to secure a 15-point margin over fifth-placed Leagues after defeating the Panthers last weekend and will now look to close in on the third-placed Hanwood side who are currently seven points ahead of them.
Eagles captain Andy Arnold knows the importance of picking up points heading into the Christmas break.
"It has been a while between wins for us to pick one up on the weekend," he said.
"We had a couple of new boys in the team, and they did quite well. We needed the win but need more heading into the Christmas break that is for sure."
One of the new boys in the side for the clash with the Panthers was Arjun Kamboj, and Arnold was impressed with his performance on debut.
"We had been looking at him (Arjun) for a couple of weeks, and it was just a case of finding somewhere to put him in," he said.
"Once he settled and found his length, he bowled quite well, and that is why he will get another chance this weekend."
Another positive sign for the Eagles was the performance of their middle order, in particular, Travers Pickmere who was able to post a half-century.
"I was more happy for Trav because he is pretty hard on himself," he said.
"He had been looking good for the last couple of weeks but was just finding ways to get out, so it was good to see him cash in on the weekend."
There will be one noticeable absentee this weekend with Hayden Forner set to miss the clash due to his selection for the Country Thunder under 15s side for the State Challenge.
Arnold says while the side will miss Forner, who has been in good form for the Eagles, it gives a chance for someone else to step up.
Hanwood will be coming into the game off the back of the bye and looking recreate their win from round five as they look to close the gap to Coro in second. The game will get underway at 1pm, and Arnold was looking forward to the day game as his side's last four games had been under lights.
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Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
