Tigers match still in the balance

The only Central Gippsland Cricket Association game to still be in the balance is between Morwell and Mirboo North.

Mirboo North sits on 4/70 chasing 169, but with Shane Peters still at the crease the visitors have a big task ahead.

The dangerous Rob Phoenix and Brett Pedlow have been dismissed, but Peters is experienced at grinding out runs with the tail and can expect plenty of support from Peter Grima and Jed Alexander.

Brad Grima, Dale Banks and Joel Crosbie are more than capable of showing some fight and hanging around to save the game.

For Morwell, the absence of Brandon McDonald will be keenly felt, but with a pace attack consisting of Roger Henry, Brendan Brincat, Shane Gniel and Tim Dowe, with the spin of Riyaz Pathan and Mark Cukier, it will feel more than capable of polishing off the Mirboo North tail and claiming the points.

Moe v Trafalgar

Trafalgar has the points in the bag and if it can score quickly the Ships could put Moe in serious trouble with a perfectly timed declaration.

Trafalgar needs all the points it can get to force its way into a finals place, and will be haunted by missing out on an outright win over Thorpdale by one wicket recently.

Rhys Holdsworth is still at the crease and can score quickly, while Jackson Noonan could be the danger man if the skipper asks the Lions to bat again.

Moe needs quick wickets if it wants to get anything out of this game.

Jayden Mathison will need to step up, while in recent times the Lions have relied on captain Andrew Philip to provide crucial breakthroughs.

If Trafalgar can force an outright win then the race for fourth spot will be blown wide open between the Ships, Morwell and Moe.

Latrobe v Thorpdale

Thorpdale folded for just over three figures last week and will be keen to strike with quick wickets to ensure Latrobe is unable to push for an outright victory.

Shannon Pickering troubled a few of the Sharks’ batsmen with a lively spell late on day one and will be supported by brother Travis as well as Kayne O’Connell and Morgan Clark.

The Sharks sit at the top of the table and extra points would increase the gap, especially if Morwell can defeat Mirboo North.

Patrick Farrant and Tim Cranwell would need to push Latrobe’s lead beyond 150 before unleashing Ash Halkett and Brendan Evans on the Blues’ youthful batting lineup early in the afternoon.

Farrant has a key role to play with the ball as well, as his leg spin could bamboozle the inexperienced batsmen.