By JIM TIMBERLAKE
WITH the inclement weather around late last week, an early decision was made by Cricket Victoria to cancel the first week of the Geelong Cricket Club’s match against Prahran, meaning the game will revert to a one-day fixture tomorrow.
In truth, this probably suits the Cats, as this season has shown that the shorter the version of the game, the more chance of success, as their inexperienced line up can take the game on.
While finals are most likely out of the equation now, there is still plenty to play for, and the competitive juices will be flowing for the young Geelong side, so expect a good showing tomorrow.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, last week’s round of one day matches was abandoned after GCA management made the extraordinary decision to cancel all turf matches on Friday evening, despite only a moderate amount of rain on Thursday and Friday.
Many clubs were left frustrated when they attended their grounds and found them quite playable, resorting to playing practice matches amongst themselves.
So the wash up of that is now all remaining games for this season will be two day games, and with just four games remaining before finals, the race for a top six spot is well and truly on.
The division one fixture sees some ripper games scheduled for this round with clashes between North Geelong and Murgheboluc as well as St Josephs versus Geelong City the key ones for finals calculations.
Geelong City v ST JOSEPHS, SOUTH BARWON v Lara, EAST BELMONT v Leopold, NORTH GEELONG v Murgheboluc, BELL POST HILL v Grovedale, Newtown & Chilwell v GEELONG WEST
In division two, the top six has broken away, as only St Albans Breakwater in seventh and Manifold Heights in eighth can hope to sneak back in.
Both sides will have to get a wriggle on though, and while the Saints should account for Guild St Marys, Manifold Heights has a tough task ahead of it against Marshall.
This could well be the straw that breaks the Sharks back.
Newcomb & District v TORQUAY, ST ALBANS BREAKWATER v Guild St Marys, Highton v ST PETERS, MODEWARRE v Alexander Thomson, Thomson v WAURN PONDS, Manifold Heights v MARSHALL
And in division three, Shelford has emerged from the pack to claim premiership favouritism after accounting for Meredith last week.
Meredith batted first and struggled to put together a competitive total, managing just 7/142 from its 45 overs.
In reply, Shelford was cruising at 0/40, but a few minutes later collapsed to 4/54 after Ty Watts took 3/13.
But Shane Lymer steadied the ship, making 56 not out to guide his side to an important victory.
The top six is pretty much settled here, and if Little River go down to Bannockburn as expected, it’s hard to see anything changing.
LETHBRIDGE v Bell Park, TEESDALE v Inverleigh, Winchelsea v MEREDITH, SHELFORD v Corio Bay, Little River v BANNOCKBURN, Corio Bye
