FOUR TCL Premier League clubs are locked in a tussle for two finals positions with just four rounds remaining.
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Longford and Hadspen are assured a spot in the top four, while just five points separate ACL, Cressy, Beauty Point and Tigers for the remaining prized posts.
ACL host Longford at University Oval on Saturday with Bluebacks coach John Kedey hoping his side can bat out their 40 overs for the first time following the Christmas break. “It’s getting to a critical stage for us now where we have got to try and pinch a game against one of the top sides,” he said.
An injured Ben Stonehouse will be replaced by Brendan Reid, while Country Tigers captain-coach Josh Adams said Kieren Davey would return. “We’ve struggled of late to put partnerships together in the top six and we are losing wickets in clumps,” he said after being bowled out by Diggers and Riverside last weekend.
CRESSY will travel to Hadspen in a bid to keep their season alive.
Bulldogs skipper Sam Graham, David Redeski and Adam Wesley have all been included in the visitors’ team, while Hadspen have been forced to make wholesale changes. Dave Smith, Matt Green, Jacob Walker, Andy Compagne and Adam Richards will make way for Paul Costello, Dean Slater, Simon Clay and Travis Crisp.
The Chieftains recorded a 36-run win when they last met in December.
DIGGERS are almost certain to be relegated, while Tigers are a chance to make it three wins on the trot at Hagley.
Diggers captain-coach Paul Fruin said Tigers batsmen Chris Plumbridge and Luke Richards would be their key targets. “It will be a good challenge for us… it is pretty hard to play a team like that when you don’t know everyone on the field,” Fruin said.
BEAUTY POINT encounter an honest Trevallyn at home.
Tamar Tigers captain Beau Hills said chances in the field cost them dearly last week and called for a more focused effort. “You have to be wary of Trevallyn with Glen Gleeson who is one of the in-form players of the comp at the minute,” Hills said.
LADDER
Pos team W-L-D Pts
- 1 – Longford 12-1-0 (42)
- 2 – Hadspen 9-3-1 (35)
- 3 – ACL 7-6-0 (26)
- 4 – Cressy 6-6-1 (23)
- 5 – Beauty Point 5-6-2 (22)
- 6 – Tigers 6-6-1 (21)
- 7 – Trevallyn 2-10-1 (9)
- 8 – Diggers 1-10-2 (6)