GEELONG Cricket Club’s season went from bad to worse last weekend when Monash Tigers put the Cats to the sword.
Bowling first, Geelong struggled to make inroads as two of the Tigers batsman posted centuries in their side’s massive total of 9/398.
Hayden Butterworth bobbed up with 3/33 to boast the day’s best figures.
In reply, Geelong began shakily to be 4/40.
But in a promising sign the inexperienced line-up showed a bit of ticker and fought the day out, eventually dismissed for 282.
Eamonn Vines (67) continued to show he is a player of the future, while Carl Sandri (50) and Jake Reed (42) went down fighting.
This weekend Geelong plays two Twenty20 matches, travelling to Melbourne Uni on Saturday and hosting Fitzroy Doncaster on Sunday.
Let’s hope the carefree nature of the shortest form of the game can release the shackles for the Cats players.
In Geelong Cricket Association, the division one ladder is beginning to form a serious logjam in the middle.
South Barwon finds itself right in the centre of the congestion with three wins from six games. The Swans have been quite inconsistent so far, with some thumping wins but also two very disappointing losses in the past two rounds.
They now take on East Belmont, which has been in ominous form of late, racking up big scores while keeping sides to low totals with the ball.
For the Swans, Matt Kennedy has enjoyed some good form after crossing over from division two’s Waurn Ponds, while Clinton Peake has 200 runs for only one dismissal.
But too much has been left to too few. The likes of Brad Hauenstein and Joel Davies can‘t be expected to be the ones to lift the side as they‘ve done for years.
If ever the Swans needed someone to put their hand up and ensure finals are still on the cards for this season, it will be in this game.
Selections: Lara v BELL POST HILL, ST JOSEPH’S v Grovedale, Geelong City v NORTH GEELONG, Leopold v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL, South Barwon v EAST BELMONT, Murgheboluc v GEELONG WEST
In division two, St Albans Breakwater also finds itself in the middle of the ladder but going in the wrong direction after two straight losses.
Two games ago it had Thomson on toast but faltered, then last round against Modewarre it was also in a winning position but let it slip.
This week it plays Highton, which will also be looking for a reversal in form after losing to Torquay last game.
With both sides having so much to play for here, expect a tight tussle and some entertaining cricket.
Selections: Guild St Mary’s v THOMSON, TORQUAY v Waurn Ponds, Newcomb & District v MODEWARRE, ST PETER’S v Manifold Heights, ST ALBANS BREAKWATER v Highton, Alexander Thomson v MARSHALL.
In terms of division three finals this season, two games could shape the top six come March.
Little River currently sits seventh on 16 points and takes on second placed Inverleigh this round.
A loss to the Redbacks could almost see the top six settled before Christmas.
However if they win they will be nipping at the heels of either Teesdale or Winchelsea, both of which sit on 24 points and play each other.
A Little River win would inject some life into what is becoming a rather lopsided ladder.
Selections: Inverleigh v LITTLE RIVER, Bell Park v BANNOCKBURN, Lethbridge v Shelford, TEESDALE v Winchelsea, Corio Bay v CORIO, Meredith bye.
