By Lance Jenkinson
Rain, rain, go away … Another weekend of cricket washed away after Mother Nature took control.
Entering the pointy end of the summer, losing a day’s play to the weather is not ideal for those teams inside the relegation zone or knocking on the door of the finals.
With two weekends of play before the finals – two one-day matches in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association and one two-day game in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association – let’s see how the Wyndham teams are shaping up.
Hoppers Crossing (VSDCA):
Sitting outside the top six but level on points with sixth-placed Bayswater, Hoppers Crossing has it all to play for in the last two rounds. The Cats have won two of their past three, but their most recent game was a shocker, hammered by Noble Park. If the Cats can regain the form that saw them open the new year with back-to-back wins, there’s no reason why they can’t win their last two against Endeavour Hills this Saturday, and Bayswater in the final round, which could end up being a battle for sixth.
Werribee (VSDCA):
While comfortably locked into a finals spot, Werribee still has some work to do to secure a home game in week one of the finals. The Tigers are one of four teams scrapping for a top three finish that will grant them a home final. The Tim O’Brien-skippered team will face lowly Balwyn on Saturday, followed by a mouth-watering clash with Williamstown in the final round, which could be a top three decider.
Werribee Centrals (VTCA):
Unless they want to play Russian Roulette, Werribee Centrals will need to upset premiership favourites Newport-Digman at Wyndhamvale Rain dampens season’s end Reserve on Saturday to keep their place in division 2. Sitting just three points above the relegation zone, the Centurions will be putting themselves in harms way with a defeat. If they lose and Keilor Park wins against Williamstown CYMS, the Centurions will be sucked into the relegation zone.
Point Cook (VTCA):
It all comes down to the final weekend of the season in division 3 to see whether Point Cook or Sydenham Hillside will end the regular season as minor premiers. Best part of it all, the two sides will square off in what promises to be a ripping contest at Saltwater Reserve. Point Cook hold the advantage, five points clear on top, but know a loss will see them tumble to second, which could have an impact come finals time if the weather intervenes.
Seabrook (VTCA):
Survival hopes washed away in the February rain for Seabrook last weekend. The Saints, 12 points from safety, were consigned to a bottom-two finish. All that is left to decide at the bottom end of the division 3 ladder is the wooden spooners, which will be the loser of the clash between Seabrook and Pascoe Vale Hadfield at Bruce Comben Reserve.
Wyndhamvale (VTCA):
The weather dealt the cruellest blow of all to Wyndhamvale. Second-last on the ladder and needing a win to stay alive, the Falcons were in the box seat against East Coburg, requiring 95 runs with seven wickets in hand, but the weather ruined their chance of a successful run chase. As a result, Wyndhamvale is bound for relegation with a bottom-two finish in division 4 a certainty.
Bellbridge (VTCA):
Neither here nor there, the division 4 final round will have little impact on Bellbridge. However, the Bears can shape the top four in the last round, with their opponent Melton South Royals still in with a finals chance.
Sanctuary Lakes (VTCA):
Entering the final game on the bottom of the division 5 ladder, Sanctuary Lakes will be hoping a win away to Williamstown Colts will be enough to see them avoid the wooden spoon.
