Bulldogs regain key players for clash with top side

North County’s hopes of returning to the winners’ list in the one-day competition will be boosted by the return of several key players as they prepare to tackle reigning premiers Railways in a busy weekend of Albany Cricket Association A-grade action.

The one-day competition will feature a double-header fixture on Saturday and Sunday, with the Bulldogs keen to avoid a third-straight loss after starting the season strongly.

After losing their first match, the Bulldogs won the next three to sit second on the ladder but have since gone down to Collingwood Park and Mt Barker.

Captain Neil Ferreira will return for the clash with the Tigers, along with sons Michael and Matthew, giving their side some much-needed batting depth.

Spinner Paul Osborne, who has taken four wickets in two one-day games this season, is another inclusion for the Bulldogs, along with former junior Hamish Bigwood.

The Bulldogs have only one game this weekend, with a bye on Saturday and then a second encounter of the season against the Tigers, who beat them in last season’s lopsided grand final.

Veteran Craig Tonkin is the Bulldogs’ leading run-scorer with 237 runs in the one-day format and Neil Ferreira sits inside the top 10 with 132.

Both will play crucial roles for their side as they look to topple The Tigers, who will again be missing skipper Zane Marwick, Nathan Crudeli and Tim Edmunds.

Aidan Dallimore should return from illness, while Mitch Green will return from holidays.

The Tigers have a chance to extend their advantage at the top of the one-day standings when they face bottom-placed Park on Saturday.

Royals tackle Denmark on Saturday and Park on Sunday, while Manypeaks face the second-placed Bulls on Saturday.

ACA A-GRADE FIXTURES

Round 8 — 12.15pm Saturday

Manypeaks v Mt Barker at Turf East

Railways v Collingwood Park at Turf North

Denmark v Royals at Turf West

Round 9 — 11am Sunday

Railways v North County at Turf East

Denmark v Mt Barker at Turf North

Royals v Collingwood Park at Turf West