WITH just two rounds of the Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade competition left, St Pat’s Old Boys are preparing to go full steam ahead into their clash with City Colts at Morse Park 1.
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St Pat’s might be last in the competition but they can still make the finals should they win their remaining matches and have other results go their way.
Colts have their own spot to play for as they eye off a top two finish.
Last round’s matches were cut short due to the 40-plus degree temperatures across the Central West and it meant both Pat’s and Colts were part of two drawn games.
Pat’s were in a promising position of 2-40 chasing ORC’s 166 before the sun stepped in and put a stop to proceedings.
It’s the second straight draw for the Saints after their encouraging performance against Rugby Union.
Saints’ Matt Fearnley wants to see the positive cricket continue from the last two rounds.
“In the portion of last round’s match which we did play we were looking very strong,” he said.
“Both teams have a lot to play for. We're still chasing that last finals spot and Colts are trying to get back inside that top two.”
St Pat’s currently sit on 19.5 points, behind Centennials Bulls (26) who were knocked out of the top four because of their loss to Redbacks last round.
ORC (27.51) are the current owners of the bottom finals qualifying spot.
Both teams have a lot to play for. We're still chasing that last finals spot and Colts are trying to get back inside that top two.
- Matt Fearnley
Fearnley said with a little improvement in the batting there’s plenty to be excited about going into the penultimate round.
“We’ve just got to continuing playing the game we have been and we can get this result,” he said.
“I’m really happy with the way we’ve been bowling. We’ve just got to back that up with the bat.
“I think [the Saints’ latest matches] show that the team is really maturing.
“Boys like Ben Mitchell and Nic Broes are playing well and Bailey Webber has been bowling great.
“Then there’s guys like Brendon Cutmore, Adam Ryan, myself and Shane Broes. We’ve got that great mix of youth and experience at the moment.”
Pat’s have happy memories of their latest match against Colts, where a century from Jeremy Russell guided them to a five-wicket victory at Loco Oval.
Saturday will be Colts’ first venture to Morse Park since November while Pat’s return to the same ground as last round.
Play begins at 1pm.
