Welcome back to this week’s Tah Talk with Jay Lenton. This edition Jay gives an insight into what the men’s need for the final game week to lock in finals, Brewers hopes to make the final 4, and a big congrats to the MIG for their historic club championship.
Thanks again to Underground Cricket for partnering with this article each and every week. Great to have Damon, Jason and the team on-board. For all your cricket equipment needs visit them at www.undergroundcricket.com
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
As we head into the final round of men’s Premier Cricket, things are getting tight and tense across the grades.
While our fourth and fifth grade sides sit top of their respective tables and are guaranteed finals berths, things aren’t as certain elsewhere.
Seconds are in the top 6 in sixth spot and are eight points off 7th.
With a top six system in place, you’d think they would be relatively safe.
But with the final round now a two-day fixture instead of a one-dayer, outright victories and maximum competition points could come into play as we prepare to host Campbelltown at Manly Oval.
Fortunately, seventh-placed Easts meet fifth-placed Bankstown, who we lost to last week, and eighth-placed Randwick, who are 9 points behind us, play Gordon in 13th.
Win, lose or draw, our spot in the finals is all but assured.
First grade will look to finish a modest season on a positive note, while thirds are in a real dogfight.
The third grade table is more congested than the old Wharf bar after a Manly win.
Only seven points separates fourth from 10th.
We sit sixth but the four teams directly below can jump us if we lose and they win this weekend.
Again, it won’t make any difference to our position if we win.
Skipper Sam Webber is back and that is a massive lift as we take on 18th-placed Campbelltown.
However it all ends up, we’ll have plenty of finals cricket to look forward to over the coming weeks.
BREWERS TAKE THE LONG ROAD
The bad news is our Brewers Shield side missed out on an all-important top two spot following their last-round defeat.
The good news is the girls are still alive and kicking after finishing fourth.
Brewers finals are a little unique.
Teams one and two have the first week off while teams 3-6 play knockout matches this weekend.
The winners of those matches take on the top two sides – Gordon and St George-Sutherland – in week two for a spot in the Grand Final.
Our Tahs take on Penrith on Sunday and are confident of getting through to the final four.
SHIRE DELIGHT
You might want to take your earplugs to bed on Saturday night if you live anywhere near Weldon Oval.
Our brothers at the Warringah club will be celebrating their first club championship win this century – and it promises to be a big, big night.
The Men in Green secured the crown for the first time since 1997/98 following a win in fifths last weekend.
It’s another indication of the tremendous depth of cricket talent we have here on the northern beaches.
Congratulations to a wonderful bunch of players, coaches, officials and supporters.
And enjoy the party!
