THE battle for the Northern District Cricket Association’s A Grade double chance could end tomorrow when second-placed Nondies hosts reigning premiers, Wandella.
Ten points separate second and third place on the ladder, with the Cohuna-based team going into the match as favourites thanks to a 2-0 record over the Bombers so far this season.
Nondies have won by six wickets on each occasion these sides have met in 2015/16, and a third win against the Bombers tomorrow would extend the gap between the sides to 16 points.
Tomorrow’s match will be the first games both sides have played since December 12, with hot weather on December 19 resulting in the mid-season break starting one week earlier – meaning all players will be refreshed.
Clayton Holmes and Jake Thrum – who have led the way for Nondies so far this season – will be key to securing a sixth win of the season, with the Bombers hoping its line-up, which boasts the majority of the 2014/15 premiership side, fires.
In the other match of the round, competition leaders, Leitchville/Gunbower will travel to Barham to take on Barham/Koondrook.
Yet to drop a 45-over match this season, Leitchville/Gunbower will look to record a 10th consecutive win against a side looking to stay in the top four.
An upset win by the border side will place extra pressure on fifth-placed Cohuna United – who have the bye this weekend – to pinch an upset win before round 18 on February 27.
Adam Decicco, Kurt Brereton and Tyler Jones will be pivotal to Leitchville/Gunbower’s hopes, whilst Steve Farrant and Shane Guerra will need other players to step up and assist.
Finals challenge intensifies
TOMORROW’S B Grade matches will all have an impact on the battle for the finals.
With 16 points separating the top three, as well as 11 points the difference between fourth and fifth on the ladder, each game will be vital between tomorrow and round 18 on February 27.
The match of the round will be at Kerang’s Riverside Park, where third-placed Wandella hosts competition leaders, Nondies.
The cancellation of round 10’s matches hurt the Bombers, who could have closed the six-point gap between themselves and second-placed Barham/Koondrook with a big win against Kerang Fairley Town.
However, Wandella will have to rely on encounters involving the top two teams to claim the double chance or face a first semi-final at home.
Nondies will aim to retain top spot or face he prospect of Barham/Koondrook reducing the margin between the sides to six points.
The border side faces its own challenge, with a travel to Gunbower to take on reigning premiers, Leitchville/Gunbower.
The composite team has struggled this season, with its only wins coming against Kerang Fairley Town.
Despite this, the team still has a number of players who featured in the 2014/15 premiership, and could upset a few teams in the second half of the season.
Tomorrow’s task may be too tough for the hosts, with Barham/Koondrook on track to play in the finals.
Leitchville/Gunbower’s title defence could also end tomorrow if Cohuna United records a big win against the winless Kerang Fairley Town at Riverside Park.
United, who are fourth on the ladder, hold an 11-point lead over Leitchville/Gunbower, and this gap could extend to 18 points tomorrow depending on the outcome of this match.
Kerang Fairley Town is yet to win a game this season, but have shown glimpses of challenging teams at some occasion in each of its matches.
