By David Nagel
It’s been shaping up as the biggest round of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Premier Division for some time – but the penultimate round of the season has more hanging on it than we first thought.
Today’s top-of-the-table clash between Pakenham and Tooradin has been the long-awaited match-up of round 13, with the clear top-two teams in the competition set to lock horns on Pink Ladies Day at Toomuc Reserve.
Over 200 ladies will be in attendance, all dressed in shades of pink to help raise awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation.
On-field, Tooradin will look to build on a magnificent nine-game winning streak and turn the tables on the Lions who inflicted the Seagulls only loss for the season in round two.
Cal O’Hare and his boys will be out for revenge and to take a stranglehold on top spot as we head into the final round of the season.
The Lions will be without key-opener Jack Anning and all-rounder Sean Gramc, and will need to overcome those odds – and a feared foe – to keep their minor premiership aspirations alive.
Expect Tooradin to be too strong and lock down a top-place finish.
At the opposite end of the table, bottom-placed Clyde has finally run out of chances and must defeat seventh-placed Merinda Park at Donnelly Reserve or be relegated to District Division next year.
The Cougars fell agonisingly short in a similar battle against Officer last week, with Michael Vandort and skipper Brett Reid leading the Cougars to a respectable total of 219.
In comparison, there was nothing respectable about the Cobras batting last week after they were rolled for just 23 by Kooweerup.
Yes…23!
No player in the top eight made more than three runs as Luke McMaster and Jess Mathers cut through the Cobras like a hot knife through butter.
The Cobras have made scores of 106, 103 and 23 since Christmas and will need to turn things around or face being on the bottom of the ladder with just one round remaining in the season.
If Clyde does win the battle for relegation could down to percentage, with the Cougars facing Tooradin (first) in round 14 and the Cobras making the trip to Pakenham (second).
Clyde may sit on the bottom…but it’s almost impossible to tip against them this week.
Cardinia, currently fourth, head to Officer this week for a crunch game against one of its most immediate challengers.
The Bulls have only won two of their last five games, but tasted success last Sunday in the CCCA T20 Kookaburra Cup.
After a lean season, Alex Nooy returned to his brilliant best for the Bulls in the T20 decider and stand-in skipper Nathan Volpe is hoping the Bulls can maintain that momentum.
“We’ve been working really hard, but it’s been our bowling and fielding that has been keeping us in games,” Volpe said.
“It’s just been our batting that has let us down.
“We’ll try and use today as a stepping stone for the rest of the season, and if we can take today’s momentum forward, we could be dangerous come finals time.”
The Bulls certainly have that capacity, having won three of the last four trophies on offer in the CCCA.
This is a tough one to call…but the Bulls big-game experience will just give them the edge.
And Carlisle Park heads to Kooweerup for one of the great examinations in CCCA cricket.
On form, over the last five games, the Vikings are one of the top four teams in the competition but may have left their run too late after losing their opening five fixtures.
The Vikings may still be a rough chance of playing finals if they can sneak over the line in this one.
But it won’t be easy, with Luke McMaster in terrific form with the ball, taking 6/12 against Merinda Park last week, and gun-opener Chris Bright overdue for a big score.
Shalika Karunanayake, Ben Perry and skipper Teddy Fonseka hold the key for the Vikings, who have been super-impressive is all aspects over the last two rounds of the season.
Kooweerup need to be careful…but their overall depth will get them across the line.
CCCA PREMIER DIVISION
FIXTURE: ROUND 13
(Tips in Capitals)
Pakenham v TOORADIN
Officer v CARDINIA
Merinda Park v CLYDE
KOOWEERUP v Carlisle Park
