By JIM TIMBERLAKE
GEELONG Cricket Club goes into the final round of the season sitting nicely in third position after an impressive outright victory against Hawthorn-Monash University last Saturday.
The Cats declared on their overnight score of 3/264, leading by 115 runs. The only problem was that star bowler Jake Reed was unavailable after his selection to make his first-class debut for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield at Adelaide.
But the confident Cats overcame his absence, with the remaining bowlers dismissing the visitors for just 89 from 32 overs.
Spin was the order of the day, as Luke Muller (3/28) and Aaron Finch (3/16) bowled well in tandem to claim a memorable victory.
Geelong travels to Melbourne University this Saturday for a game in which the Cats will look to fine tune their form before finals begin in a fortnight.
Geelong Cricket Association also begins its final home-and-away round this weekend, with a two-day match scheduled for the next two Saturdays.
In division one, Geelong West hangs onto sixth place by a thread, with 34 points after 12 rounds and facing a tricky match against South Barwon.
But three teams are on 30 points, with each awaiting their chance to take the last spot off Geelong West.
Geelong City has come from nowhere to sit seventh. With Richard Oliver coming off a brilliant double century last game, the Sharks will have nothing to lose when they take on ladder-leader North Geelong this Saturday.
Eighth-placed Murgheboluc is still a chance, although it plays St Joseph’s this round and will need to be at its best to win.
The last team still a finals chance, Newtown & Chilwell, takes on reigning premier East Belmont at Stinton Oval.
The Lions are always tough to beat but their form has been patchy of late.
No doubt scores will be flying around town as teams look to not only worry about their own games but also what is happening elsewhere
Selections: ST JOESPH’S v Murgheboluc, NORTH GEELONG v Geelong City, HIGHTON v Leopold, Newtown & Chilwell v EAST BELMONT, GROVEDALE v Lara, SOUTH BARWON v Geelong West
In division two, the scenario is almost identical, with Waurn Ponds sitting in sixth on 34 points.
However, this time four teams are on 30 points and just waiting for them to stumble.
Newcomb & District, Torquay, Manifold Heights and St Peter’s are all nipping at the Eagles heels.
Amazingly, Guild St Mary’s is 11th but only one game out of the top six.
Don’t be surprised if an outright result somewhere along the line puts a twist in the tale.
Selections: Alexander Thomson v MANIFOLD HEIGHTS, Waurn Ponds v ST ALBAN’S BREAKWATER, Newcomb & District v MODEWARRE, BELL POST HILL v Torquay, St Peter’s v MARSHALL, THOMSON v Guild St Mary’s.
In division three, fewer teams are still in the mix but sixth-placed Corio could still be replaced by either Meredith or Little River.
All three face tough tasks this round, so it’s fair to say whoever wins their way into the finals will well and truly deserving.
Selections: Lethbridge v CORIO, Meredith v BELL PARK, North Shore v INVERLEIGH, Bannockburn v TEESDALE, Little River v WINCHELSEA, Shelford bye.
