by Lightning McQueen » Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:10 am
Eyre Royals 105.26 SW(a), C(h), R(a)
North Pines 99.06 R(a), A(h), SW(a)
NEK 87.11 A(a), SW(h), C(a)
Salisbury West 79.06 ER(h), NEK(a), NP(h)
Enfield 68.36 C(a), R(h), A(a)
Craigmore 65.43 EU(h), ER(a), NEK(h)
Riverside 54.00 NP(h), EU(a), ER(h)
ATCO 40.15 NEK(h), NP(a), EU(h)
The "Good Bloke" league, the grade is littered with them, I'm sure most games are played in great spirit.
The Royals sit top and so the should, 3 of the 4 leading wicket takers with sub 10 averages, and that's without Dylan Chaffey bowling as much as he would of hoped to, that lad has some serious wheels when fully fit, I tried working with him a few years ago but he lacked the confidence to step up to Grade 1, good to see his batting come along since, top spot still up for grabs but I fear a last round win by forfeit may cost them minor premiership.
For a club that I've been critical of over the years I take my hat off to North Pines, Mark Fidock and co. have come along way with teams no longer sandbagging and being successful in the higher grades, they are even looking the goods to return to Grade 1 for the first time in at least 15 years.
Once again they are a team that seems to have no real standouts, Travis Rogers has been tidy with the ball but overall they all seem to play their part, things will fall their way and they will round out the season with a minor premiership, going to be a busy week first week of the finals having a few home teams, great look for the club.
The Knights will keep third spot over arms length away from anyone below them with an outright win this round against a struggling ATCO, after returning to the winners circle last week after three consecutive losses will restore some order and get them back on track. Prisk and Placucci have led the way with the bat and the wickets are well shared showing they aren't reliant on any individual.
Westies are a worry if they can sneak into the 4 given who plays in their D's, it's a redundant call anyway as their run home is too hard and despite their buffer, Enfield will run them down.
The Earwigs will have a great battle with the Blues this round knowing that they can put their slippers on, sit back and smoke a couple of Cubans to take on Riverside and ATCO in the last two rounds, Riverside could very well forfeit given the travel and struggle they've had recently filling two sides, Michael Johns has had a solid season with the bat but moving up to the B's could hurt the team.
The Blues have a great blend of youth and experience and will finish the season off enthusiastically regardless of the results, a tough run home where they may jag a win but more than likely wont, a respectable 6th finish.
A Darren Ireland led Riverside is going to be a fun team to play against and for, hopefully they can scrape 11 blokes together for the next 6 weeks and finish off what they started.
ATCO now face three finals bound teams and after forfeiting against the Royals on the weekend things look bleak considering they could've ridden their gophers there.
I've been a keen observer of this team throughout the season as it's a credit to them all getting together for the one thing we all love "cricket", with an average team age more than most teams oldest bloke I'm sure their Saturday evenings are full of anecdotes over dozens of beers, cramps and bones creaking.
HOGG SHIELD DIVISION V WINNER 2018.