AFTER a three-week hiatus over the Christmas and New Year period, cricketers across the region will be back on the field this weekend.

Mount Beauty United Cricket Club’s district first grade side find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings after their most recent loss to Barnawartha-Chiltern by seven wickets on December 21.

The game was forced to change venues due to ground conditions at Mount Beauty, and the Miners took full advantage of an extra home game, compiling 3/156 in response to the Power’s 8/153.

This now leaves Mount Beauty in a precarious position with six rounds to go, sitting fifth position on the league table with 24 points, marginally ahead of a resurgent Barnawartha-Chiltern (21 points) and Eskdale (21).

Speaking before the break, captain Greg McLennan was optimistic when looking ahead to the second half of the season.

“We’ve had some challenges so far this year with player availability, particularly due to injury and work factors which has impacted our batting stocks most of all, but this situation should improve after Christmas,” McLennan said.

”One thing about having a final six in a competition containing seven teams is that you can struggle a bit for part of the season and still make the finals.

“We are well aware that Kiewa won a flag three years ago from sixth on the ladder coming into finals, so it can be done.

“We certainly have some things to work on, but we will look forward to getting back on track after Christmas.”

Mount Beauty will resume training this week before the league’s toughest assignment on Saturday – an away trip to current ladder leaders Kiewa, who are undefeated after 10 rounds.