Cricket North: Westbury and Mowbray aim to continue dream start

The much-anticipated weekend fixture will see Launceston welcome Devonport in a rewind to last season's Greater Northern Cup semi-final.

Last time, it was the Lions who reigned supreme and the home side will be flying high after an Alistair Taylor-inspired victory last weekend. Tyler Dell will be a key figure after the Orions' skipper notched 112 off 133 to almost inspire his sides' second victory of the season.

"We've always got a good rivalry with Devonport and we respect how they go about it ... it doesn't really matter where these two sides are on the ladder they're always very close and competitive games," Launceston coach Andy Gower said.

It will be a contest of two sides enjoying very differing seasons when Wynyard make the trip down to Riverside No.1 this weekend.

The Tigers find themselves at the bottom of the Greater Northern Cup table after a winless start while Riverside are in pole position and are yet to taste defeat this season.

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Wynyard have had troubles with the bat against the Cricket North opponents after being all out for 55 and 51 in their past two games while the Blues' attack leads the competition's wicket-taking tally.

"We're under no illusions that we have to play our best game of cricket or their top three players can get on top of us, we don't want to be chasing 250 or 300, we'd rather have them out cheaply," Riverside coach Lyndon Stubbs said.

Riverside are expected to finalise their side after training dependent on Greater Northern Raiders commitments.

Westbury have emerged as a omnious contender after putting together two emphatic displays in a matter of weeks to enjoy an unbeaten start to the season.

The Shamrocks hit the road again against Ulverstone as they look to secure their third win of the season against the Black Caps who are in search of their opening win of the year.

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Westbury are likely to welcome back Matthew Battle and Liam Ryan in place of Jono Chapman and Nathan Parkin

"We find this time of year is always tricky with player availability and getting a stable side with things chopping and changing quite a bit," captain Daniel Murfet said.

"So the more wins we can get in this busy period of cricket ... the more confidence we will get."

South Launceston looked to find their rhythm last weekend as they secured a comfortable seven-wicket win and will be out to replicate the dose against Burnie.

The travellers are the best placed of the Cricket North-West sides after an early season victory against Wynyard but the abandoned fixture and bye have left them without match play in recent weeks.

"We certainly need to put our best foot forward to be competitive but West Park doesn't hold any fear for us, we've been successful there in the past," Knights captain Sean Harris said.

Jeremy Jackson is available for the Knights' side.

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Mowbray's push for the top spot of the Greater Northern Cup runs into a Latrobe-sized hurdle this round. While the Demons suffered a loss last round, they proved too good for the Eagles last season in a seven-wicket win.

"It's about winning those critical moments, that's what we were able to do last week and that's what we will aim to do this week," Eagles skipper Luke Scott said.

William Dakin, Lachlan Dakin, Thomas Dwyer and Joel Proctor are all under selection consideration.

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