JUNG Tigers almost upset Rup-Minyip in the team’s last B Grade meeting and will try to break through for a win on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Tigers only have two wins to their name but are still in with a chance of playing finals this season.
A win against Horsham Saints in round six looked to have put the team back on track, but it was easily beaten by Lubeck-Murtoa at the weekend.
The Tigers have another tough task ahead of them on Saturday and their chances might hinge on Tyler Neville’s availability.
Neville was superb in the last match against Rup-Minyip, blasting 124 runs and almost setting his side up for a victory.
The team’s first-innings total of 236 looked defendable, but the Blue Panthers were able to score 261 runs before being bowled out.
Neville has played just two B Grade matches for the Tigers this season, but if he is unavailable on Saturday, the team might be in for a long day.
Horsham Saints and Quantong should produce a close match at Quantong Park.
The Bombers had a 32-run win against the Saints two rounds ago, which was sparked by a middle-order batting revival.
Peter Brand, Troy Dumesny and Nathan Hill pushed Quantong’s total to 211 after two of the team’s top-order players failed to fire.
It proved to be just enough, as the Saints were bowled out for 179 in reply.
Matthew Grace claimed five wickets in the loss, and if Grace and the other Saints bowlers can deny the Quantong middle-order runs, they are in with a chance.
C Grade competition is heating up in the final round before Christmas.
Natimuk-Goroke and Homers are the clear top-two sides, but third-placed Jung Tigers are separated by just two wins from ninth-placed Horsham Saints.
In Saturday's Twenty20 round, a number of ladder positions could change.
Fifth-placed Colts can break into the top four with a win over Noradjuha-Toolondo at Dudley Cornell Park.
The sides have yet to meet this season after the Bullants forfeited to Colts in round one.
Horsham Saints and Laharum are also clinging to their finals hopes and the winner could catapult themselves back into top four contention.
Laharum claimed a victory with relative ease in their previous meeting.
Top side Natimuk-Goroke will be challenged by Blackheath-Dimboola.
A draw is the only blemish on Natimuk-Goroke’s record, but the Bulls might fancy their chances after a strong win over the Bullants at the weekend.
It will be second versus third when Homers take on Jung Tigers.
Homers won a thriller in their first meeting on the back of David Johns’ 95 runs, but a Jung Tigers win would go a long way to sealing a finals place for the team.