FOURTH spot on the Northern District Cricket Association A Grade ladder could be determined tomorrow when Cohuna United and Barham/Koondrook meet for the final time this season.
United returned to the top four after last weekend’s washout against Nondies, with the side benefitting from the border team’s loss to Wandella.
A home-team will see the gap between fourth and fifth place grow to nine points with four rounds remaining, but a Barham/Koondrook win will see the 2014/15 semi-finalists return to the top four.
Daniel Cooke is the only United player to feature in the association’s top 20 runs scorers, and his efforts tomorrow with the bat will be pivotal to the outcome of the match.
Logan Spittal and Andrew Neil can also be dangerous with the ball, giving the home team an advantage on a pitch they know well.
The border side will rely on Steven Farrant, Shane Guerra and Jack Thomas to secure a win, who won by one run when these teams last met in December.
Tomorrow’s other A Grade match will also have ramifications on the top four, with reigning premiers, Wandella needing to defeat Leitchville/Gunbower to keep its double chance hopes alive.
The Bombers climbed to second spot on the ladder thanks to last weekend’s win against Barham/Koondrook and the no result at Cohuna, but need to win to keep Nondies at bay.
A bye next weekend, as well as Nondies taking on Barham/Koondrook, could see the Bombers fall back to third if the side cannot inflict Leitchville/Gunbower’s second loss of the season.
Michael Runciman, Peter Moore and Isaac Hogan loom as danger players for the home side, whilst Leitchville/Gunbower’s key combination of Kurt Brereton, Tyler Jones and Adam Decicco will be well rested after playing in Bendigo Country Week matches prior to the round 13 bye.
Positions up for grabs
THE results from two of tomorrow’s NDCA B Grade matches will impact on sides battling to play in the competition’s second semi-final.
Less than one point separates second-placed side, Barham/Koondrook and third-placed team, Wandella going into round 14.
The border side will host fourth-placed Cohuna United at Koondrook tomorrow, with the Bombers travelling to Leitchville to take on reigning premiers, Leitchville/Gunbower.
Barham/Koondrook will look to bounce back after last weekend’s loss to the Bombers, whilst United can secure fourth spot on the ladder with a win and a Wandella victory at Leitchville.
United was no match for Nondies last weekend, and will look to Reagan Williams and Daniel Wyatt to secure an upset win.
However, the likes of Corey Barrington, Dylan Robinson and Cody Storm will have other ideas.
Across at Leitchville, Wandella can end Leitchville/Gunbower’s premiership defence with a win – which could be boosted by a United victory at Cohuna.
The Bombers will look to Nick Whitfield, Billy Fallon and Russell Bott to secure a ninth win of the season.
Leitchville/Gunbower will mount a fight, with the likes of Matt Hawken, Mitchell McEwen and Oliver O’Shea capable of creating an upset win.
In the weekend’s final match, Kerang Fairley Town will look to record consecutive wins when the side hosts ladder leaders, Nondies.
The Kerang-based team shocked Leitchville/Gunbower last weekend, with Daniel Higgs leading the way with the bat and ball.
It will be difficult to see the home side recording a win, with Lachie Harbinson dominating with the bat and ball.
Junior race clearer
THE penultimate round of junior competition will finish tomorrow, with the finals picture in the under 17s and under 14s to be clearer.
The under 17 minor premiership, as well as fourth spot on the ladder, will be on the line at Cohuna tomorrow when Cohuna United meets Wandella.
United, who have the bye in the final round, must defeat the Bombers to climb back into the top four, whilst a Bombers victory will secure the minor premiership.
In tomorrow’s other match, Barham/Koondrook needs to defeat fourth-place side, Leitchville/Gunbower – and hope Wandella loses – to keep the race for top spot alive.
Leitchville/Gunbower needs to win, or for Cohuna United to lose, to remain fourth on the ladder going into the final round.
In the under 14s, Leitchville/Gunbower Blue can secure a final spot with a win against Wandella at Gunbower, Leitchville/Gunbower Maroon will take on Cohuna United at Leitchville in a key game for both sides, and Barham/Koondrook can reclaim top spot with a win against Boort/Yando at Barham.
* UMPIRES for Saturday, January 30:
A Grade – Wandella v Leitchville/Gunbower: Andy Farley; Cohuna United v Barham/Koondrook: Greg Miles.
