JIM TIMBERLAKE
AFTER a two-week break for Christmas and New Year, cricket returns to local playing fields tomorrow, and while some will already be looking forward to finals action, others will be scrambling just to be a part of it.
Geelong Cricket Club had some encouraging results prior to the break and will be hoping the momentum can continue against Prahran in a two day game over the next two Saturdays.
While Prahran sits in third position, there’s no reason the Cats can’t take it right up to them if some of the more experienced players such as Hayden Butterworth and Jeremy Hart can put in a good performance.
In Geelong Cricket Association, a round of one day games is scheduled, before the season reverts to two day games from here on in.
Geelong City will host South Barwon in an important match for the finals aspirations of both sides, as well as those around them on the ladder.
City, after enjoying a relatively easy draw for the first two months, now face the better sides, an opportunity it will relish, particularly after being in a strong position against East Belmont last game before a sprinkler malfunction washed out the game.
South Barwon enjoyed some patchy form through October and November, but prior to Christmas it was on fire and moving up the ladder at a rate of knots.
With so much to play for, this will be a great game, but it looks like South Barwon might just have too much depth and should win.
Lara v EAST BELMONT, ST JOSEPHS v Geelong West, Leopold v NORTH GEELONG, MURGHEBOLUC v Bell Post Hill, GROVEDALE v Newtown & Chilwell
In division two, a big gap has opened up between the top six and bottom six.
Fifth placed St Peters take on sixth side Modewarre tomorrow and the winner can virtually book a finals spot, while the loser will be vulnerable to any club that emerges from the chasing pack.
Mathew Robinson has been in great form for Modewarre, while Stephen and Hayden Illingworth top the table for St Peters.
Both sides have played well with young squads and will be keen to start the new year on the right note, however Modewarre might just have the X factor here.
Guild St Marys v HIGHTON, Torquay v MARSHALL, Newcomb & District v ST ALBANS BREAKWATER, Alexander Thomson v THOMSON, Waurn Ponds v MANIFOLD HEIGHTS
In division three, the top of the table clash between Shelford and Meredith looks like being a run feast, with both sides boasting plenty of weapons.
The Lymer brothers, Michael and Shane, hold the key for Shelford, while their ex-team mates from Bell Post Hill days, Ty Watts and Troy Bott, are capable of big scores for Meredith.
It may well be a case of a lesser light from either side stepping up with a match winning performance, and if so, Shelford look to have a bit more depth.
Inverleigh v WINCHELSEA, BELL PARK v Corio, Lethbridge v TEESDALE, Corio Bay v LITTLE RIVER, Bannockburn bye.
