Run home: BWCC fight for top four spot is on after tight season
The fight is on in the BWCC, but who will make finals? Find out here.
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There is not much separating the top three from each other, while the bottom three are in a separate battle for the last spot in the top four.
With just three rounds of cricket to go in the BWCC, the Addy breaks down the run home to find out who has the best chance of playing finals cricket.
North Geelong
Currently: 1st, 38 points, 1.63%
To play: East Belmont (a) W, St Joseph’s (a) W, Ocean Grove Red (h) W
Overview: A strong season so far but top spot is well and truly up for grabs. The round 14 clash away at St Joseph’s appears to be decisive in the final ladder positions, but the Magpies are expected to hold onto top spot. With three final games against current top four sides, it is the perfect preparation for North Geelong’s finals campaign.
Key Players: Sophie Walker and Chloe Smith are two of the competition’s best batters, piling on 266 and 234 runs respectively this season. Walker made a half century early in the season against St Joseph’s but Smith struggled in the sides’ two clashes this year, and both will be required to score well in a deep finals run.
Opposition threat: St Joseph’s Paris Knight leads the league with 16 wickets taken so far this year, but she has only taken one wicket in two games against North Geelong this year. If the Magpies can keep her influence to a minimum, they have a chance of securing a big total.
Prediction: 1st, 50 points
St Joseph’s
Currently: 2nd, 34 points, 1.57%
To play: Portarlington (a) W, North Geelong (h) L, South Barwon (h) W
Overview: Joeys have a chance to steam the minor premiership if they can beat North Geelong at home, but a top two spot is a clear objective after a strong season. Wins against Portarlington and South Barwon should be enough to accomplish that feat, even if they drop the game against the Magpies in round 14.
Key Players: Caitlin Burnett has dominated for Joeys so far this season, piling on 492 runs at an average of 98.4. She has scored 185 more runs than the closest opponent (East Belmont’s Rebecca Farey). She has hit two half centuries (undefeated 50 and 57) against North Geelong and will be a key piece in their round 14 clash, as well as any finals match up.
Opposition threat: North Geelong duo of Sophie Walker and Chloe Smith will be a difficult pairing to dismantle. The two batters sit third and fourth in the batting rankings after piling on 266 (Walker) and 234 (Smith) runs so far this campaign. Joeys will need to dismiss both early to have a chance of victory.
Prediction: 2nd, 42 points
East Belmont
Currently: 3rd, 32 points, 2.09%
To play: North Geelong (h) L, Ocean Grove Red (a) W, Portarlington (a) W
Overview: East Belmont has the chance to sneak into the top two, but it is more likely that the side will finish third on the ladder. They have the best percentage in the league but struggled against the Magpies in the two sides’ only completed game this season. If East Belmont can win all of its remaining games, the side will finish in the top two.
Key Players: Rebecca Farey sits second in the league for runs scored this season with 307 runs at an average of 38.38. Farey has notched two half centuries as well this season, and will be an important source of runs for the Joeys in their run for finals.
Opposition threat: Portarlington’s Olivia Hoskin has taken 10 wickets this season and is seventh in the competition’s leaderboards. She also took two wickets against East Belmont in round 5, and could be dangerous against the strong batting line-up in the last round of the season. Not only good with the ball, Hoskin has scored 173 runs with the bat and is a genuine all round threat.
Prediction: 3rd, 40 points
Ocean Grove Red
Currently: 4th, 16 points, 0.49%
To play: South Barwon (h) W, East Belmont (h) L, North Geelong (a) L
Overview: A win against South Barwon should seal a finals berth for the Grubbers, but it may be their last win for the season. Ocean Grove’s win against St Joseph’s in round 7 has been its only victory against a top-four side, with the other two wins coming against Portarlington.
Key Players: Jacqueline Johnston has piled on 217 runs at an average of 31 this season, including a 50, and sits fifth overall for run scorers in the league. With tough games against East Belmont and North Geelong in the final two rounds of the season, Johnston will be a key performer for Ocean Grove in a push for finals cricket.
Opposition threat: South Barwon’s Tayla Ryan has taken 12 wickets for the season and is constantly dangerous with the ball. Her best figures came against Ocean Grove, snagging 3-19 off six overs in round 8, and she will be an integral piece in upsetting the Grubbers and potentially knocking them out of finals.
Prediction: 4th, 20 points
Portarlington
Currently: 5th, 14 points, 0.69%
To play: St Joseph’s (h) L, South Barwon (a) W, East Belmont (h) L
Overview: Portarlington can technically make finals from here, but it would take a decent effort. The club’s only wins have come against South Barwon (twice), and Ocean Grove. Portarlington would either need to win two of its final three games to have a chance to make finals, or win one and rely on South Barwon beating the Grubbers.
Key Players: Elise Chisholm is Portarlington’s leading run scorer this season, scoring 198 runs so far. Portarlington will need to surprise either St Joseph’s or East Belmont, as well as beating South Barwon, in order to have a genuine chance at making finals, and scoring a big total will be key to that upset victory. If Chisholm can pile on a big score, her side has a chance.
Opposition threat: East Belmont’s Rebecca Farey sits second in the league for runs scored this season with 307 runs at an average of 38.38. In order to beat East Belmont, Portarlington will need to knock over Farey early and cheaply. If they can do that, they are a chance at finals cricket.
Prediction: 5th, 18 points
South Barwon
Currently: 6th, 10 points, 0.47%
To play: Ocean Grove Red (a) L, Portarlington (h) L, St Joseph’s (a) L
Overview: South Barwon’s win against North Geelong is an obvious highlight for the last-placed side this season. It is unlikely the Swans claim another scalp to finish the year but if they can get over the line against Portarlington they would be a chance to move off the bottom. Wins against Ocean Grove and Portarlington could mean South Barwon sneaks into finals, but it would rely on other results.
Key Players: It is likely that South Barwon’s season is over, but don’t tell Bree Gorman that. She sits 10th in the league for runs scored with 155 at an average of 25.83, and has a chance to move further up the order. She is just 55 runs behind a top-five placing in the league, which is achievable with a strong finish to the season.
Opposition threat: St Joseph’s Monique Connell is third on the wicket-taking list with 12 for the season, including two across two games against South Barwon. Connell will be eyeing a big finish to the season to potentially claim the best bowler title for the competition, meaning South Barwon batters need to be ready.
Prediction: 6th, 10 points
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