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Round 12 began on Saturday with the all-important Strathmerton and Nathalia clash, in which Strathy need to win.

Barooga is in a position to gain outright points to grab top spot.

Waaia is also in a strong position against Cobram/Yarroweyah.

At Waaia, United won the toss and batted. At 2-57 the decision seemed to be paying off.

However, Watson (15) and Scott Thomson went in quick succession to have themselves under pressure before Keiran Andrew (26) and Ben Davis (36) put together a 63-run partnership.

Wickets then fell consistently until John Thomson 20 not out built the score to 158.

Waaia used eight bowlers with A. Shelton 2-26 and Chris Armstrong 2-34 being the only multiple wicket takers.

Waaia began shakily in the chase to 2-11 before G Meyland (61 not out) and Liam Gledhill (33) pushed the score to 4-111 at stumps.

Barooga has Berrigan/Finley in a position where outright points are on the cards.

Batting first the Combine started well to be 1-40, but the introduction of Matt Jaensch (5-10) and partner Imran Arif (5-40) dominated all batsmen to see the Combine out for 64.

Barooga then batted and at 5-48 there were some concerns before Imran Arif (51 not out) joined Daniel Davis (34 not out) to put together 78 runs and get the score to 5-124 at stumps.

Chris Shan 2-33 and D Magill (2-20) bowled very well.

In the Strathmerton and Nathalia match, Strathmerton made 7-249 with L. Carter 117, T. Glover 38 with A. Quinn 4-60.

●Melbourne Country Week began on Monday, with MVCA defeating Bendigo in day one action.

Yesterday, MVXA played Mornington Peninsula and will play Leongatha today. They will play Geelong on Thursday.