The finals battle will step up a gear in the third last round of TCL with 4-6 trio Cressy, Perth and ACL neck and neck for fourth spot.
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While ACL and Cressy face the league’s top two, Perth will host second-last Beauty Point for the chance to pull the first punch on its mid-table rivals.
The Tamar Valley Tigers are placed in an equally precarious position - one game from relegation – but skipper Rob Crane is certain his side can finish with a bang.
“We’re pretty confident we can stay out of that sort of area if we play to the best of our ability in the last few games – we’ll speak about that last round if need be,” he said.
Jason Savage and Chris Hay will miss but should play the last two rounds.
ROUND 11 RECAP: Vishwa Express crushes Cressy
CRESSY has redemption on its agenda after being dismissed for 44 at Hadspen.
Things won’t get easier against 10-0 Longford, who boast a percentage of 300.
“I thought our performance was pathetic to be honest,” Bulldogs boss Damian Whybrow said.
“If we want to play finals we’ve really got to start playing some good cricket ... and Longford’s going to be a tough ask after what happened to us last week.”
Trent Spencer will keep his spot in the Longford XI after 6-24 against Legana, while Shannon Rumbel will return to the top of Josh Adams’ batting line-up.
“[Spencer’s] been around the club for a while,” Adams said. “He’s a wily old character, and he’s one you can trust to bowl line and length.”
John Kedey’s ACL will meet Hadspen in top form after recording its first back to back 40-over wins.
Sameera Vishwaranga and Thanuka Dabare have been insatiable for the Chieftains, but the Bluebacks have match-winners of their own.
“Ash Batty in particular has been a standout since Christmas,” Kedey said after the all-rounder’s four-wicket haul last round.
“When he took his first wicket [of the season] he had a bowling average of 169, but he’s done really well over the last three weeks and having Cameron Martin into our side ... has been tremendous and they’ve complemented the rest of our guys.”
Coach Liam Reynolds said Hadspen’s team vibe was improving week by week.
“We’re starting to gel as a team, it’s just a matter of putting those performances on the board which we are at the moment,” Reynolds said.
TREVALLYN is expecting a big crowd for its clash with Legana as it celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Clinton Reid and Dave Patten will miss for James Whiteley’s side, which was buoyed by Kyle Strochnetter’s bowling last round.
“He had a few games in A-reserve to get his pace and a bit of strength back and came up last week and took four-for so that was really good,” Whiteley said.
Legana has named Matty Wells, Mike Dunn and Andrew Wright for unavailable trio Kurt Wells, Jai Bourke and coach Geoff Stick.
“We’re of the opinion now that we need to win every game for the rest of the year to avoid being relegated and they’re three winnable games we reckon,” Stick said.
“We’re sick of the honourable losses and we know we need to win to have any control over our fate.”
ROUND 12
Saturday, 11am
- Cressy v Longford (Cressy)
- Perth v Beauty Point (Perth)
- ACL v Hadspen (Uni Oval)
- Trevallyn v Legana (Trevallyn)