BPCA A1 Run Home: Jan Juc looking to hold off Armstrong Creek and Ocean Grove in run home to finals
A top-of-the-table clash is set to determine the minor premiership, while three sides are still genuine chances to sneak into finals. Break down the run home here.
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With the BPCA season less than three games away from finals, the race for the post-season is heating up for clubs.
In the A1 division, three clubs are battling for the final spot in the top four.
In the A2 competition, the fight for first is heating up.
The Addy has broken down the run home for the rest of the season to find out which clubs have a chance of playing finals cricket this year.
A2
Drysdale
Currently: 1st, 52 points, 2.34%
To play: Portarlington (a) W, Barwon Heads (h) L, Wallington (h) W
Overview: Drysdale has been impressive throughout the season, losing its only game away from home against Barwon Heads. The round 13 clash will determine the minor premiership.
Key players: Nick Hallam will bat for the first time since being taken to hospital with facial injuries after sweeping a delivery into his unprotected face. His form with the bat is undeniable: 359 runs at an average of 179.5.
Opposition players: Barwon Heads’ Matthew High has taken 17 wickets and been dangerous throughout his 44 overs. He sits fifth overall for wickets taken, and has the lowest number of overs bowled out of anyone in the top 11 wicket takers in the competition.
Prediction: 2nd, 64 points
Barwon Heads
Currently: 2nd, 46 points, 4.34%
To play: Wallington (h) W, Drysdale (a) W, Portarlington (h) W
Overview: While Barwon Heads is sitting second on the ladder, the club is a genuine chance to finish on top and is unlikely to fall outside of the top two. Three games against top-five opponents means Barwon Heads should be well prepared for finals when they roll around.
Key players: Jacko Mallet (387 runs at 77.4) and Matt Bode (385 runs at 77) sit atop the league leaderboard for runs scored this season. The firepower does not stop there, with Ben Harris fifth overall with 295 runs (average 59) and Charlie Hurst (267 at 66.75) in seventh overall.
Opposition players: William Ritchie and Blake Dobbin will be an instrumental pair of bowlers for Drysdale when the two sides meet in round 13, as well as a likely grand final meet. The pair have each taken 18 wickets for the season and both sit in the top four leaders for the competition.
Prediction: 1st, 64 points
Wallington
Currently: 3rd, 33 points, 1.64%
To play: Barwon Heads (a) L, Portarlington (h) W, Drysdale (a) L
Overview: A tough run into finals for Wallington, with games against the top two sides as well as Portarlington, which is trying to sneak into the top four. It is unlikely they miss from here but the last three rounds will determine if they finish third or fourth.
Key players: Dane Wise-Graham has torn through batting lineups this season, leading the league with 23 wickets so far. If Wallington is going to make noises in the finals this year, Wise-Graham will be a big contributor with the ball.
Opposition players: Alex Mann has only taken 11 wickets for Portarlington this season, but his bowling effort the last time these teams met was elite. Mann conceded just 10 runs from eight overs while also claiming one wicket.
Prediction: 4th, 39 points
Winchelsea
Currently: 4th, 30 points, 0.90%
To play: Collendina (a) W, BYE, Newcomb (a) W
Overview: The bye in round 13 will make the run home interesting for the competition. Winchelsea will get two easier games to finish the season against bottom-two sides Collendina and Newcomb, but because of the bye even winning both games does not lock them into the post-season. Portarlington would have to win all three of its remaining games to sneak in, which seems unlikely.
Key players: Adam Korth (233 runs at 33.3) is sitting in the top 10 for most runs this season, and with games against the bottom two sides the batter could pile on some big scores heading into finals.
Opposition players: Naichese Lovett has been dangerous at times this year for Newcomb despite a poor team record this season. He has taken 11 wickets, including 6-71 against Portarlington.
Prediction: 3rd, 42 points
Portarlington
Currently: 5th, 25 points, 0.72%
To play: Drysdale (h) L, Wallington (a) L, Barwon Heads (a) L
Overview: Finals are still a possibility, but it must seem like a farfetched opportunity now for Portarlington. Currently sitting fifth and currently defending 197 against Drysdale, Portarlington would need to win all three of its games left, while also requiring Winchelsea to drop its final two games against Collendina and Newcomb.
Key players: Portarlington has posted a score of 197 against Drysdale, so Naichese Lovett and the bowling attack around him are going to be required to dismiss Drysdale cheaply if they are going to have any chance to sneak into the top four.
Opposition players: Nick Hallam is a difficult man to get out, with five unbeaten scores in seven innings leading to an average of 179.5 from his 359 runs. He will make his return with the bat after a facial injury left him in hospital.
Prediction: 5th, 25 points
A1
Anglesea
Currently: 1st, 51 points, 1.81%
To play: Anglesea (h) W, Ocean Grove (h) W, Armstrong Creek (h) W
Overview: The perennial premiership contender has been dominant this season, losing just one game to Inverleigh in a shock result. Anglesea is currently on top of its two-day clash against Jan Juc, and should be expected to win its final three home games of the season.
Key Players: Tyron Norman has enjoyed a strong season with the bat, scoring 264 runs at 37.71, but the club’s dominance with the ball is most impressive. Dylan Taylor has taken 21 wickets at 10.62, while Darcy Elliott (16 wickets at 12.63) and Joe Lynch (15 wickets at 19.47) have also been consistent.
Opposition players to watch: Chris Marsiglio has been consistent with the bat for Armstrong Creek this year, scoring 246 runs and three half-centuries, and could provide Anglesea’s bowlers with some headaches in the final round of the season.
Prediction: 1st, 69 points
Barrabool
Currently: 2nd, 45 points, 1.49%
To play: St Leonard’s (a) W, Inverleigh (a) W, Queenscliff (h) W
Overview: Barrabool has been seriously impressive this season, and will be eyeing off a top two spot after missing finals last season. Barrabool should play in just its second finals campaign since 2014.
Key Players: Jack Purcell has been dominant with the bat this year, scoring 350 runs at an average of 50, while Edward Morrison has taken 20 wickets this year.
Opposition players to watch: Queenscliff coach Frank Mileto has been dangerous with the bat this year with 376 runs at an average of 41.78. He is set to be an important wicket in the clubs’ battle for second spot on the ladder in the last round of the season.
Prediction: 2nd, 63 points
Queenscliff
Currently: 3rd, 45 points, 1.18%
To play: Inverleigh (a) W, St Leonard’s (h) W, Barrabool (a) L
Overview: Queenscliff will have a chance to snatch a top-two spot in the final round of the season when the Coutas play Barrabool. The two sides are destined to face each other in the semi finals, with the last game of the year set to determine where the game is played.
Key Players: Coach Frank Mileto has scored 376 runs this year at an average of 41.78, and will hope to continue his good form at the top of the order.
Opposition players to watch: Barrabool’s Edward Morrison has taken 20 wickets this year, with the gun bowler set to offer Queenscliff plenty of headaches in their final-round clash.
Prediction: 3rd, 57 points
Jan Juc
Currently: 4th, 34 points, 0.86%
To play: Anglesea (a) L, Armstrong Creek (a) L, Ocean Grove (h) W
Overview: Jan Juc is in danger of slipping out of the top four if it can’t claim two wins in its final three matches. The club’s poor percentage might cost them in the run home, with the clash against Armstrong Creek potentially confirming who makes finals.
Key Players: Coach Nick Hyden has led the club for runs this season, totalling 314 at an average of 52.33, which has him sitting fourth in the league. Luke Edwards has scored 222 at 22.2 this year.
Opposition players to watch: Daniel McLean has claimed 20 wickets this year for Armstrong Creek at an average of just 11, and will be a key piece for his club’s chase for finals.
Prediction: 5th, 40 points
Armstrong Creek
Currently: 5th, 30 points, 1.24%
To play: Ocean Grove (a) W, Jan Juc (h) W, Anglesea (a) L
Overview: Three games against three finals contenders, but Ocean Grove and Jan Juc are fighting Armstrong Creek for that fourth spot on the ladder.
Key Players: Chris Marsiglio has been consistent with the bat for Armstrong Creek this year, scoring 246 runs and three half-centuries, and will be required to post scores against Jan Juc and Anglesea for any chance of victories.
Opposition players to watch: Jan Juc’s Jordan Graham leads the league with 23 wickets this year, and will be a key player in the club’s clash with Armstrong Creek as the two sides battle for fourth spot.
Prediction: 4th, 42 points
Ocean Grove
Currently: 6th, 30 points, 0.94%
To play: Armstrong Creek (h) L, Anglesea (a) L, Jan Juc (a)
Overview: If Ocean Grove can claim a couple of wins to finish the season, the club can sneak into the top four. But with the Grubbers in a poor spot against Armstrong Creek going into the second day, as well as away games against Anglesea and Jan Juc, it is unlikely they mount a challenge.
Key Players: Shaun Fankhauser has been the league’s best batter again this year with 398 runs, and will be required to make some big scores in the final two games of the season in the race for finals.
Opposition players to watch: Tom Kearney has taken 19 wickets this season and will be a key player for Jan Juc in the last-round clash between the two sides. Fankhauser scored an undefeated century last time the two teams met.
Prediction: 6th, 30 points
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Originally published as BPCA A1 Run Home: Jan Juc looking to hold off Armstrong Creek and Ocean Grove in run home to finals
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