Geelong Cricket Club can finally close the door on season 2019/20 after going down to Prahran last Saturday.
The Cats were unable to defend 217, with the visitors passing the modest total just four wickets down.
Hayden Butterworth (4/118) showed typical resolve, sending down an incredible 28 overs, but it was all in vain as Prahran batted on to finish the match on 7/317.
Now the focus turns to the search for a new coach, with a number of candidates already in the mix, while the club will also look to bolster its depth on field as well.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, the rain in the week prior to last Saturday meant that some crucial games did not go ahead, and will instead revert to one day fixtures tomorrow.
In division one, East Belmont posted a healthy 243 against North Geelong in one of the only big scores for the day.
Grovedale kept the pressure right on the top four, putting themselves in a dominant position against Newtown & Chilwell, dismissing the Two Blues for just 153, Luke Ford (6/57) the star with the ball.
Meanwhile, Lara and South Barwon were unable to take to the field in their crucial game due to a wet wicket. They will now play a one day game tomorrow.
So as it stands, North Geelong are the only team guaranteed to contest the finals, with the other four clubs mentioned battling it out for the other three spots, which means tomorrow will be one of the most exciting finishes to a season for many years.
In division two, Geelong City has all but booked it’s place in the finals, on the back of yet another master class from Ritchie Oliver (173).
Modewarre had no answers to the star Englishman, as the Sharks knocked up 5/303.
Fifth placed St Peters held hopes of an outright victory against Manifold Heights to see them sneak into the top four, but with day one of their game washed out, that is now impossible, so it looks like the final four is set.
And in division three, the virtual elimination final between Geelong West and Lethbridge was unable to start last week, so it will be 100 overs of tension at West Oval tomorrow, as the two sides battle it out for fourth spot.
The Rams will be hoping that playing on their home ground on a turf wicket gives them some sort of advantage, because when the stakes are this high, every little bit counts.
