Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club remains in the top eight by the skin of its teeth following a draw against St Kilda last Saturday.
On day one the Cats managed a very healthy 7/327 before declaring their innings closed.
Dom McGlinchey (1/88) then started day two brilliantly with the ball, claiming a wicket in the first over.
From there, though, St Kilda enjoyed a run of good partnerships to reach 3/150.
Enter Brody Couch (4/42), who turned the game on its head, however, as an amazing four wickets fell for just one run.
From there it looked like Geelong would cruise to an easy victory but St Kilda had other ideas as its tail withheld the Cats for over two hours to claim a frustrating draw.
All of that means that Geelong travels to Dandenong over the next two Saturdays with the knowledge that a win should see the Cats progress but a loss will surely end their premiership hopes for another season.
Geelong Cricket Association also has a single round remaining, and in division one this year’s four finalists are already decided.
Lara sewed up a finals berth when it won a thrilling game by just one wicket at South Barwon, Andy Hughes the star with a magnificent 162.
Meanwhile, Geelong City, the only other team that was still vying for March action, suffered a humiliating outright loss at the hands of Leopold to end what had been such a promising season.
So while we know that North Geelong, East Belmont, Grovedale and Lara will contest the finals, the finishing order is still far from known, with all games this round potentially shaping each teams finishing position.
Selections: Leopold v NORTH GEELONG, EAST BELMONT v South Barwon, Geelong City v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL, ST JOSEPHS v Murgheboluc, GROVEDALE v Lara
In division two, Bell Post Hill has assumed outright premiership favouritism after thrashing Bell Park last round.
But it is the other end of the top four that holds the most intrigue, with fourth placed Torquay just hanging in there, while fifth placed Highton is still nipping at the Tigers’ heels.
Incredibly, both teams won outright last week, which means Torquay retain its six-point advantage on the ladder. Add to that a healthy margin on percentage and the Tigers are still the team most likely to go through.
They take on Manifold Heights tomorrow in a game they should win, while Highton has the unenviable task of playing Bell Post Hill.
All of this points to Torquay playing finals but, in what has been a topsy turvy season, expect the unexpected.
Selections: Manifold Heights v TORQUAY, BELL POST HILL v Highton, Newcomb & District v BELL PARK, St Peters v MARSHALL
And in division three, the top four has also been pretty much decided, after Alexander Thomson moved ten points clear of St Albans Breakwater with one round to play.
Mathematically, St Albans Breakwater can still make it but the prospect of defeating Guild Saints outrights seems highly unlikely.
In other games, Thomson should wrap up the minor premiership at Corio, Geelong West will tune up for its finals campaign with a win against Waurn Ponds Deakin, while Modewarre and Alexander Thomson will jostle for spots in the top four when they clash at Highton Reserve.
Selections: THOMSON v Corio, GEELONG WEST v Waurn Ponds Deakin, Alexander Thomson v MODEWARRE, ST ALBANS BREAKWATER v Guild Saints.
