With only two rounds remaining in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association, the top two sides Lakes Entrance and Lindenow South Glenaladale are assured of finals action in March.
The final two spots are up for grabs, with wins in the final two rounds vital for Wy Yung (42 points, play Meerlieu and Lindenow South Glenaladale), West Bairnsdale (36 points, play Lindenow South Glenaldale and Lakes Entrance), Meerlieu (36 points, play Wy Yung and St Marys Nagle) and St Mary’s Nagle (31 points, play Metung Swan Reach and Meerlieu).
Wy Yung remains unbeaten since October 26 and will head into its clash with Meerlieu at Bullumwaal Road as favourites, but the Tussocks named a strong line up last week with Adam Cairns and Matt Busch interesting additions.
Skipper Rohan Blandford has tinkered with the line up significantly since the Christmas break looking for a winning formula. It will be interesting to see if the Tussocks try Connor Mitchell as an opener, where he impressed at Country Week.
The Tigers have worked hard to establish a strong and settled line up and victories in the final two rounds could see them as a major premiership contender.
West Bairnsdale has plenty to play for when its visits the Bulls at the Lindenow South Recreation Reserve.
Both sides look strong and balanced on paper, with the big wickets for respective bowling attacks being Brodie Anderson (West Bairnsdale) and Haydn Erfurth (Lindenow South Glenaladale). A low score from either of those could tilt the game.
That is probably selling short the batting depth of both sides, which includes recent West Bairnsdale centurion, Sam Stewart, and hard-hitting West skipper, Ryan Halford.
St Mary’s Nagle will need to beat the Swans outright in this week’s Saturday/Sunday two-day fixture if they are too stay in the finals race, but realistically they could win their last two and still miss out.
They will need to bat better than they did against Lucknow if an outright win is to be possibility. Brayden McCarrey is due for a score and this week would be timely against the struggling Swans.
Ladder leader Lakes Entrance heads into this week’s match against Paynesville at AJ Freeman Reserve with an imposing season record of 10 wins, one loss and a draw from its 12 matches this season.
The Gulls have been competitive in recent matches and are capable of taking the game right up to the Seagulls if hard-hitting import Nathan Schoultz is on his game.
With only a few weeks until finals, the Seagulls will be keen to hone their game, which has been built on creating solid partnerships and tight bowling.
Lucknow welcomes Orbost to Hudson-Alvin Oval, with the Blues desperate to register another victory and climb off the bottom of the ladder.
The Magpies will not be easy beats, the only side to bank winning points in round 12 after beating Nagle on a bowler friendly deck at Nagle College.
