Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Despite the best efforts of the players and support staff, the Geelong Cricket Club has unfortunately fallen to the bottom of the Premier cricket ladder following a demoralising loss to Dandenong last Saturday.
While the Cats were unlikely to win considering they went into the second day’s play well behind, the way that Dandenong ground them into the dirt once they got on top was a lesson in how ruthless you need to be at this level.
A look at the ladder shows some fascinating figures, with Geelong actually sitting in second place in terms of runs scored, although the fact that they have had to bat a second time in a number of games may have contributed to this.
However, it is the wickets taken column that is the most telling, with the bowlers managing just 73 wickets in 14 games, the lowest in the competition by far. A lack of penetration, experience and class with the ball makes it hard to attack games in the field.
Having said all that, no one would question the work ethic and commitment of the club. Coach Andre Borovec is the perfect man to see them through this difficult period, as he has never been one to shy away from a challenge.
Tomorrow, the Cats have the chance to move up the ladder, as they take on Frankston Penninsula who sit just one place above them, meaning this could very well be the battle for the wooden spoon.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, the make-up of this season’s finals is completely unknown, with eight teams still in the hunt with just three rounds remaining.
South Barwon kept their faint finals hopes alive with a stirring win over East Belmont, successfully defending just 159 in a 19-run win. They still find themselves in eighth spot though, and take on Newtown and Chilwell this round, who are fast sliding downwards after losing three of their last four games.
For the winner, the momentum of a win here could carry them deep into March, while a loss could be disastrous.
Geelong City sit in seventh, and had somewhat of a scare against the winless St Peter’s, after managing just 146 in the first innings. St Peters complete lack of batting depth showed though as they were bundled out for just 87, before the Sharks had another bat in the hope of an outright win; the Saints managed to surive the day’s play with four wickets in hand.
Geelong City now take on St Joseph’s in a game they simply must win.
Add to that the fact that East Belmont, coming off two disappointing losses in a row, take on a resurgent North Geelong, this round looks like the round that could really shake up the premiership hopes of almost every team.
ST JOSEPH’S v Geelong City, Leopold v MURGHEBOLUC, Bell Post Hill v LARA, NORTH GEELONG v East Belmont, South Barwon v NEWTOWN AND CHILWELL, GROVEDALE v St Peter’s
In division two, Manifold Heights couldn’t have picked a worse time to drop a game against one of the lower teams on the ladder, with their loss to Alexander Thomson last round looking like it could seriously hinder their finals aspirations.
Batting first, the Sharks looked well set at 1/56, but a monumental collapse saw them dismissed for just 138. Any hopes of a fightback were dashed as the Vikings never even gave them a chance to get back into, cruising to a six-wicket win.
So now sitting in seventh spot, and out of the six by one point, Manifold Heights need to regroup against unbeaten Bell Park if they want to stay in touch. A task that is not beyond them, but on current form, looks unlikely.
NEWCOMB AND DISTRICT v Thomson, Geelong West v HIGHTON, ST ALBANS BREAKWATER v Modewarre, TORQUAY v Alexander Thomson, Manifold Heights v BELL PARK, Guild Saints v MARSHALL
