Barrabool and Jan Juc eye off top four place in final round

A heavily debated rule to abandon play has likely settled any thoughts of a Lazarus-like rise in the BPCA’s top tier. See how Round 14 is shaping up.

Armstrong Creek has not lost a game since Round 5. Picture: Mark Wilson

A heavily debated rule to abandon play last Saturday has likely settled any thoughts of a Lazarus-like rise in the BPCA’s top tier.

With the mercury set to hit 39 degrees last weekend, it ruined Queenscliff, Drysdale and Ocean Grove’s outside chances to rise from the bottom reaches of the ladder in A1.

Under the league’s heat rule, voted in by the 16 clubs, states that matches in all grades will be abandoned on the morning of game day if the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast top temperature in Geelong is above 38.

Coming into Round 14, there are nine points separating the Bulls in fourth and the Grubbers in last place, so it’s set to be a battle between Barrabool and Jan Juc, a rung below the Bulls, for the last remaining finals position.

The Bulls appear to have the easier fixture, facing Queenscliff at home, while Jan Juc take on the reigning premier in Barwon Heads who have won their past three in a row.

It comes as Barrabool celebrate its 50th year on Saturday night.

The Hawks and the Grubbers will face stiff opposition in top two sides in the Roos and the Titans but will at least enjoy home ground advantage.

Jan Juc’s Peter Buszard. Picture: Mark Wilson

It’s a similar position in A2 with the Demons and Surf Coast – both locked in 48 points – fighting for a finals spot at the Port on Saturday.

The Suns have the wood on their opponents in 24-25, downing the Demons by 69 runs in Round 10.

Portarlington have struggled for form post-Christmas with just one win from four completed games.

Meanwhile, the Cobras, a further four points ahead on the ladder, have risen to third after a run of four straight wins following a disappointing loss to the Demons in Round 8, dismissed for just 86.

Star all-rounder Corey Walter – currently A2’s leading batter with 524 runs at 104.8 – said it had been a wake up call.

Collendina has bounced back from a horror Round 8 match against Portarlington. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“We were struggling at that point with form and confidence I guess and I think the break came at a good time,” Walter said.

“We’ve tried a few different mixes and changes in batting orders and we’ve created a bit of momentum now which is good coming into the back end of the season.”

Walter is averaging 128 with the blade since Round 7 while Stan Grazotis has moved up to second on the bowling aggregate with 29 wickets at the incredible average of 8.79.

Originally published as Barrabool and Jan Juc eye off top four place in final round