FOR the second consecutive week, Mount Beauty United Cricket Club’s first grade side was unable to take the field due to rain.

The eighth round in Cricket Albury Wodonga’s District First Grade competition was considerably disrupted, with the points shared between Mount Beauty and Eskdale, while there also no play between last season’s grand finalists Dederang and Bethanga.

However, it was business as usual for Kiewa and Barnawartha-Chiltern, who played the full 80 overs, in a game which saw an undefeated Kiewa outfit cruise to a six-wicket victory at home.

While there was also no play for the Power’s second grade side at Eskdale, its third eleven took to the field against local foe Dederang at Les Peart Oval.

After winning the toss and batting first, Mount Beauty compiled a respectable score of 143 for the loss of only two wickets, with Angus McLennan top-scoring with a run-a-ball 50, ably assisted by Tristan Hall (34 runs), Lucas Anderson (19) and Jon Sanderson (15).

Dederang chased down the score with four wickets in hand and 11 overs remaining.

As we officially enter the second half of the season with eight rounds down and eight rounds to go, Mount Beauty’s first eleven will be looking to get back on the park this Saturday, with an intriguing two-week block remaining before the Christmas and New Year break.

A trip to Yackandandah awaits against the high-flying Roos, before a home game against Barnawartha-Chiltern on December 21 will give the Power an opportunity to entrench themselves in the final six and keep them ahead of the chasing pack.

District ladder after eight rounds – Kiewa 45, Yackandandah 45, Bethanga 27, Mount Beauty 24, Dederang 21, Eskdale 21, Barnawartha-Chiltern 9.