CENTRAL Gippsland players start their two-day games after completing five rounds of one-day cricket.
The battle for the TRUenergy Yallourn Cup has intensified with seven points separating the top five and outright points would be a boost to any of the winners this round.
Mirboo North could be the only team likely in this category to gain maximum points.
Two games qualify for the match of the round status with Moe clashing with Latrobe at Ted Summerton and Newborough Bulldogs and Morwell facing off at Burrage.
Ted Summerton is now available for matches until 19 December.
Moe has won the past four TRUenergy Yallourn Cups but its 2009/10 campaign has not gone to plan.
It is in shaky territory having won two, lost two and one washout.
At this stage last season the Lions were well in front of the field.
Moe's top order has not been in dominant form and reliable opener Tom Long was playing well below his best.
He was dropped twice before making four runs against the Bulldogs.
He had a hard football season and a two-day game is perhaps all he needs to get in the mood.
The Lions' batting has not been flash this season and notable run scorers Rob Phoenix has 99 runs so far this season, and includes a top score of 66, while Andrew Philip has 121 runs with 60 his best.
In a two-day game Moe will need more out of this pair to post a winning score.
Moe's fielding was a problem against the Bulldogs with its players dropping 10 catches.
Latrobe has lost only one game this year which was against Moe in round one.
Since then the Sharks have beaten Newborough Bulldogs, Yallourn North and Mirboo North.
John Kus has been handy for the Sharks with both bat and ball and in the field, and this takes some pressure off Anthony Bloomfield and Kris Wells.
Now that Justin Vajler has found form Latrobe can get away to a solid start.
There may be a few changes in Moe's line-up and super veteran Matt Clarke could be one of those players to win his spot back in the side.
This will be an interesting encounter and the side that bats first in this and all the other games will have a distinct advantage.
Newborough v Morwell
MORWELL and the Bulldogs meet in an interesting match with the teams winning last week.
Newborough had a complete reversal of form when it easily beat Moe last Saturday after being thrashed by Latrobe the previous week.
One of the main problems for the Bulldogs is whether Barney Webber can continue his good form after scoring a century against the Lions.
Generally, most bats that make it to three figures don't get among the runs in their next innings.
Morwell's top order has not got the side off to the start needed to post a big score and if it had not been for Craig Giddens, Mick Higgins and Travis Willis the Tigers would have struggled to beat the bottom side. This match will be won by the side who can bat out its 85 overs.
Yallourn North v Mirboo North
MIRBOO North travels to Yallourn North and much will depend on who is available to play for either team.
The Bombers were without Evan Sheekey, Mick McNamara and Luke Nelson while Scott Jones is recovering from a shoulder injury. The quartet have been solid performers.
Charlie Kat, who won the Lindsay George Medal last year, is in scintillating form at the moment with the bat and is a handy wicketkeeper for the Tigers.
Shane Peters has been dominant with the bat and had a rare failure against Latrobe making only 13.
Jimmy Grande returned to the side with an unbeaten 26 and was a bit expensive with the ball.
This could be the match where he takes a swag of wickets.
Mirboo North should be too strong.
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