By Marcus Uhe
Round 11 of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association District competition is littered with finals ramifications for those sides in the log-jammed middle of the table.
With Upper Beaconsfield and Devon Meadows having separated themselves from the field, there’s just eight points between NNG/Maryknoll in third (74 points) and Lang Lang in fourth (66), while Emerald and Cranbourne Meadows are only separated by percentage in fifth and sixth, respectively, a game back from Lang Lang.
It’s those fine margins that will add something extra to the Cranbourne Meadows against Emerald match-up at Lawson Poole Recreation Reserve.
After their round four match-up was abandoned due to wet weather, it’ll be the first time the sides have faced-off in a district fixture this season, with a win putting the victorious side a game clear in fifth place, with just three fixtures remaining.
And depending on the outcome of Lang Lang’s encounter with Pakenham Upper Toomuc at Caldermeade Oval, they could even draw level on points with fourth.
For their part, Lang Lang will hope that the Devon Meadows opening pair of Lucas Ligt and Will Halton can repeat the dose against NNG/Maryknoll at Glover Recreation Reserve, as a Tigers win and a Marygoons loss will see them switch places at third and fourth.
Meanwhile, things could get ugly in Upper Beaconsfield, with bottom-placed Gembrook having the unenviable task of trying to knock-off the ladder leaders on their patch.
All fixtures are one-day games beginning at 1pm.
