Clubs eye the prize

By David Nagel
ROUND six in the West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA) provides some Cranbourne region teams with the perfect opportunity to set up a successful season ahead.
There’s no better example than at Tooradin this week where the Premier Division team takes on sixth-placed Pakenham Upper/Toomuc in a round now decided by one-dayers.
Tooradin currently sits in fifth place but has the same points as third-placed Pakenham and has the chance this week to turn the competition into a five-horse race.
A win by the Seagulls would see them move 30 points clear of the Yabbies, effectively ending their season.
Gun batsman Tom Hussey and all-rounder Callum O’Hare have been the pick of the Seagulls so far this season with Ben Mantel toiling well with the ball. The home team should be too good.
The top four teams battle it out in District Division this week with top team Devon Meadows taking a trip to fourth-placed Emerald.
The Panthers have been awesome so far this season, they’re bowling riding high on the back of veteran Peter Zauner and the under-rated Mick Floyd. Lucas Carroll and Bill Loudon have also chimed in at critical moments.
Their batting might not be as strong but Steve Robinson and Jason Holman have held together a line-up that, quite frankly, hasn’t had much to do. If the Panthers can see off the bowling of Clinton Marsh they should take the points.
Third-placed Merinda Park has also dominated the opposition this season but comes up against a real test this week when it plays host to second-placed Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll.
Like Devon Meadows, the Cobras’ bowling has been first class this season with Brendan Fairlam and Jess Mathers leading the way. The loss of Jason Pongracic to football commitments will hurt the Cobras as the season progresses but they should have too much fire power for the Goons.
Lyndhurst Vikings travel to SFX Old Collegians and need a win to hang on to their faint finals hopes. David Greensmith has been the focal point with both bat and ball this season and will need to produce again if the Vikings are to get over the line. It’s 50-50 but we think they will.
In Sub-District, Tooradin zoom down the South Gippy Highway to Lang Lang in a top four clash. Kane Latham with the bat and Sam Clarke with the ball have been the stories so far for the Seagulls and they must see off the competition’s leading wicket taker, the Swamp Tigers’ Bodie Brown, if they are to be a chance. Every other Cranny team has been tipped so let’s go with the Seagulls as well.
Top team Clyde pays a visit to the Goon this week and, if its form holds up, should win comfortably. David Denton is coming off some hot form with the willow and Dean Williams, Nick Miles and Pat Lawson are a formidable combination with the five-and-half-ounce leather.
Cranbourne Meadow’s finally hit top form last round on the back of the all-conquering Brent Murdoch, whose 129 was the highest score in the division this season. His brother Lee is no mug with the bat either and the two should help their team to a comfortable victory over Cardinia.
Jason Poole has been the Rebels’ go-to man with the ball, but after a slow start to the season they have no room for error from here on in. The Rebels to win and continue their climb up the ladder.