KEY PLAYER: Zac Guilfoyle will be one of the Magpie bowlers trying to knock Yarrawonga Mulwala out of finals contention tomorrow when their match resumes.
Only a win will keep finals hopes alive for side
Written by JEREMY WILSON.
TOMORROW’S match between Yarrawonga Mulwala and Wangaratta Magpies is evenly poised, however, come the end of the day one team’s finals hopes will be dashed while the other’s will remain very much alive.
The Magpies took the initiative last week, winning the toss and batting first, piling on 249 from 69.1 overs before being bowled out.
Yarrawonga Mulwala opening batsman Jackson Cooper then took the attack to the Magpies’ opening bowlers, as the combine reached 0/11 from two overs with the left hander scoring all of those runs.
So the equation is simple for both teams, win or play the final three rounds of the season knowing finals action is out of the question.
Magpie opening bowler Neil Membrey, who will have a big say in the outcome of the game, knows it’s a big match for both teams.
"It’s a significant game because if we can defend the score then it puts us right back into finals contention," he said.
"We’ll only be four points outside if we win tomorrow and with winnable games remaining we’re an outside chance to sneak in.
"The bye is obviously a huge advantage as well at this time of the year."
Needing to make a big statement after back-to-back losses, experienced batsmen Barry Grant and Paul Akers got the Magpies off to flying start, putting on 91 for the first wicket before the latter fell for 33.
But while captain Paul Smithwick fell without scoring Grant added 74 and received terrific support from Ben Henwood, who scored his first A grade half century, Craig Henwood (46) and Caleb Newton-Allan (21).
Membrey praised the batsmen for their application, adding it was tough at times with combine spinners Adam Clarke (6/74) and Marcus Hargreaves (3/25) bowling well.
"We got off to a great start although we slowed a little in the middle," he said.
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