Cricket Far North: Trio in tussle for top spot

The finishing order of the top three in Cricket Far North’s first-grade competition will come down to the final round of matches on Saturday.

The finishing order of the top three in Cricket Far North’s first-grade competition will come down to the final round of matches on Saturday.

Rovers, Mulgrave and Atherton have all punched their ticket to the post-season, but which team will have the week off and earn hosting rights for the grand final is yet to be decided, as has the second-placed finisher, who will host third in next week’s knockout semi-final.

Rovers can control their own destiny as they push to claim their first minor premiership since the 2008/09 season, with a win against Norths enough to secure first place and book a spot in the big dance on March 6.

Rovers captain Brenton Edwards said his side was feeling confident ahead of the finals.

“We’ve had a few wash outs of late but the boys are still pumped,” he said.

Rovers’ Ryan Terry does well not to be run out by Atherton's Caleb Constant in the Cricket Far North first-grade match between Rovers and Atherton at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’re still putting in the hard yards and we know what we can do when we’re on.

“Hopefully we can get the win on Saturday and cement our spot at the top, then we’ll let them (Atherton and Mulgrave) slog it out and we’ll be waiting for them.

“But it’s one game at a time at the moment, we’ve got to get the job done against Norths.”

A Norths victory, however, will open the door for Mulgrave or Atherton to snatch top spot, with the Toads and the Tablelanders to meet in an intriguing final-round clash at Loder Park.

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With Rovers on 67 points, Mulgrave on 63 and Atherton on 62 entering the final round, any of the three sides could end up on top of the ladder when all is said and done at stumps on Saturday, but the lowest Rovers can finish is second place.

Atherton skipper Tom Boorman said securing a home semi-final would be a big motivator in their last game of the regular season.

“If we could get a home semi it would definitely be a lot better for us,” he said.

“We’re always pretty comfortable at home, but in saying that, Rovers and Mulgrave are two very strong teams, so we’ll have to bring our ‘A’ game to compete with those two.”

Mulgrave's Jake Roach bats in the Cricket Far North first-grade match between Mulgrave and Atherton, held at Walker Road Sports Complex, Edmonton. Picture: Brendan Radke

He challenged his side to improve in the field against Mulgrave.

“We’ve cost ourselves a couple of results through dropped catches and just general sloppiness,” he said.

“Hopefully we can hold our chances and just tighten up a bit because I think, with how close the league is, fielding will be a big part of it.”

In the round’s other match, Barron River will host Cassowary Coast in a dead rubber, but both teams will be looking to finish their season on a high.

THE DRAW

Cricket Far North — Round 15

Atherton v Mulgrave at Loder Park

Barron River v Cassowary Coast at Crathern Park

Norths v Rovers at Griffiths Park

FINALS SCENARIOS

If both Rovers and Mulgrave win

1st: Rovers, 2nd: Mulgrave, 3rd: Atherton

If both Rovers and Atherton win

1st: Rovers, 2nd: Atherton, 3rd: Mulgrave

If Rovers loses and Mulgrave wins

1st: Mulgrave, 2nd: Rovers, 3rd: Atherton

If Rovers loses and Atherton wins

1st: Atherton, 2nd: Rovers, 3rd: Mulgrave

Originally published as Cricket Far North: Trio in tussle for top spot