JIM TIMBERLAKE
GEELONG Cricket Club will begin day two of its match against Ringwood tomorrow with a small sniff of victory in the air after a late fight-back last week.
Batting first, the Cats were in awful trouble at 9/77, but bowlers Dom McGlinchey (37) and Jeremy Hart (9) showed fight to put on 46 for the last wicket, and help the side to a slightly better score of 123.
In reply, Ringwood started cautiously but a few late wickets saw it finish day one on 5/98 and, although it would still feel comfortable of knocking off the target, Geelong will give its all to claim a rare win.
In Geelong Cricket Association, Grovedale sits sixth on a tight ladder and will have its destiny in its own hands when its hosts North Geelong this round.
The Tigers were staring down the barrel last game when Bell Post Hill cruised to 0/71, but from there they dominated the match.
Barry Tsitas (5/74) lifted to restrict the Panthers to 212 all out.
In reply Grovedale cruised to victory on the back of 87 to Nick Hyden, with support from Conrad Louth (59).
North Geelong will provide a tougher contest but, with an experienced side, there’s no reason the Tigers can’t win this one.
Selections: Lara v GEELONG CITY, ST JOSEPH’S v Newtown & Chilwell, Leopold v SOUTH BARWON, Murgheboluc v EAST BELMONT, GROVEDALE v North Geelong, Geelong West v BELL POST HILL.
In division two, Newcomb & District appears the only team outside the top six that can realistically still make the finals.
This week it has a winnable game against Guild St Marys, and if it can continue its form from last week’s stirring victory over Torquay, there’s no reason to suggest that it cannot shake things up.
Against Torquay, the bowlers set things up, keeping the Tigers to just 144, but when they fell to 9/144 in reply, shudders would have gone through the camp.
But they got the job done, and sent a warning to the competition that they can still beat the best.
Selections: Guild St Mary’s v NEWCOMB & DISTRICT, TORQUAY v Manifold Heights, ST PETER’S v St Alban’s Breakwater, Alexander Thomson v HIGHTON, Waurn Ponds v MODEWARRE, Marshall v THOMSON.
And in division three, Little River keeps nipping at the heels of the top six.
Following a good win last week against Bannockburn, the Redbacks take on Corio this round, and if they can take another six points, sixth-placed Winchelsea will be nervous in its game against the improved Corio Bay.
With only three games left, the division three season looks like going down to the wire.
Selections: Inverleigh v LETHBRIDGE, MEREDITH v Teesdale, Corio Bay v WINCHELSEA, Bannockburn v SHELFORD, Corio v LITTLE RIVER, Bell Park bye.
