By JIM TIMBERLAKE
GEELONG Cricket Club suffered its first loss since the Christmas break when Melbourne proved too good last weekend.
Bowling first, Geelong struggled for penetration into the Melbourne batting line-up as a series of partnerships throughout Saturday and Sunday ensured the Cats a hefty target.
After some honest toil by all the bowlers, Justin McPhee finished with the best figures of 2/32 before Melbourne declared on 7/354.
The Cats started brightly in reply with Khalid Sawas (44) playing the anchor role for two hours.
At 4/230, star batsman Aaron Finch (111) was at the crease and the game was in the balance.
However, a middle-order collapse in which four wickets fell for just seven runs put paid to Geelong’s chances, with the Cats eventually dismissed for 266.
Tomorrow the Cats host Hawthorn-Monash University and, with just two games remaining, a win could shore-up a deserved finals spot.
In Geelong Cricket Association, with just two games remaining before finals only two sides are fighting for the last spot in the top six.
Geelong West holds sixth with 34 points despite a shocking loss last round when it failed to chase down Lara’s 100. The Rams were all out for 70 in reply in a game they might well rue in a month’s time.
Their task doesn’t get any easier this round when they take on one of the premiership favourites, St Joseph’s.
Nipping at Geeelong West’s heels is Murgheboluc. The Frogs started the season brightly, claiming some big scalps, but fell away mid-season as the pressure of expectation in the top division possibly got the better of them.
But since a victory in the Twenty20 final on the Australia Day public holiday a new energy has emerged at King Lloyd Reserve, with two wins from the past two starts.
The Frogs’ draw is no easier though, as they take on ladder-leader North Geelong in a must-win game.
Selections: Geelong West v ST JOSEPH’S, Murgheboluc v NORTH GEELONG, Geelong City v HIGHTON, Leopold v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL, EAST BELMONT v Grovedale, Lara v SOUTH BARWON
The division-two ladder is eerily similar to division one’s, with the top five teams looking settled but the battle for sixth place probably going down to the wire.
Waurn Ponds is in the box seat, if ever so slightly.
This round sees the Eagles play ninth-placed Manifold Heights, which is only four points behind and still a realistic chance to move into the top six if it can win this game.
Seventh-placed Newcomb & District plays St Alban’s Breakwater in a game that could nearly end its hopes after a topsy-turvy season.
And eighth-placed Torquay would consider itself a good chance of knocking off St Peter’s and claiming sixth spot.
This looks like being a cracking round and could potentially set up an even more interesting final round.
Selections: Guild St Mary’s v ALEXANDER THOMSON, Manifold Heights v WAURN PONDS, ST ALBAN’S BREAKWATER v Newcomb & District, Modewarre v BELL POST HILL, TORQUAY v St Peter’s, Marshall v THOMSON
In division three, apart from Teesdale sitting comfortably atop the table, it’s anyone’s guess who can be considered its main challenger, with a seven teams still capable of filling the other five spots for finals action.
The two games that stand out as far as importance goes this round are the clashes between Corio and Meredith and Lethbridge travelling to Winchelsea.
It’s Meredith and Lethbridge that have the most to lose here, as a loss will almost certainly end both their seasons.
Selections: WINCHELSEA v Lethbridge, CORIO v Meredith, BELL PARK v North Shore, Inverleigh v SHELFORD, TEESDALE v Little River, Bannockburn bye.
