Jan Juc has strong performance in the rain against Ocean Grove, but still needs to win

After a strong batting performance Jan Juc has a chance of sneaking into finals, with the help of the team that beat them in the grand final last season.

Nick Hyden scored an undefeated century on Saturday. Picture: Mark Wilson

JAN Juc coach Nick Hyden said he was proud of teammate Jack Taylor’s rise to form this season after the pair’s impressive partnership has set up a chance of finals cricket.

The Sharks were in a bit of trouble early against Ocean Grove, with Hyden and Taylor meeting in the middle at 2-38.

But the pair put on a 149-run partnership on a day affected by constant rain, getting Jan Juc to 5-203 after 69 overs.

“Jack was really impressive I thought, he hasn’t had the most consistent season when it comes to availability so he’s been in the B’s and the C’s a bit,” Hyden said.

“But we brought him in and asked him to just face as many balls as possible, in the last few weeks he’s faced 150 balls, then 160, then 100 balls in the C and B grade games.

“So to get him in for his first A-grade game of the season and to put together a 50 for the seniors came at a really good time.”

Taylor’s 50, along with an undefeated 107 from Hyden, gave Jan Juc a chance to secure a win against Ocean Grove and potentially sneak into the top four in the last week of the home-and-away season.

Jan Juc is just two points behind Armstrong Creek, who is playing Anglesea in the last round, and a win with a Titans loss or draw would have the Sharks finish fourth.

Jan Juc will need to beat Ocean Grove and hope Anglesea, who beat them in the grand final last year, knocks out Armstrong Creek. Picture: Mark Wilson

Armstrong Creek is batting first but the first day only had seven overs bowled after being heavily impacted by rain, leaving the Titans 0-16 at abandonment.

Hyden said the side was focused on “controlling what we can control”, but it was difficult to not keep an eye on the other game’s scores.

“We obviously still need to win, that’s our focus,” he said.

“Ocean Grove aren’t going to be interested in just playing this one out, they’re a chance to jump into finals with a strong win as well.

“So we’ve got another six overs to bat next week, we’re hoping for another 30 runs or so and a total of 230 or 240 is going to make it a really interesting chase.

“We’re missing a few bowlers, but the guys we’ve got in the side are going to give us a real shot at winning.

“If our season ends next week we want to make sure we’ve had a really good hitout and give us the best chance of making it through.”

Originally published as Jan Juc has strong performance in the rain against Ocean Grove, but still needs to win