WIN or it’s just about season over for Wangoom today.
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The fifth-placed Roosters enter the final day of the round 11 Grassmere Cricket Association match against Yambuk a game-and-a-half outside the top four.
But with fourth-placed Hawkesdale conceding first innings points last week against ladder leader Panmure and in trouble at 2-24 in its second innings, Wangoom can make significant inroads with a victory against Yambuk.
Wangoom is chasing 10 wickets today after setting Yambuk a challenging 220.
Long-time Wangoom allrounder Nick Kermond said today was crunch time for his side, despite having three more matches to come, including one against Hawkesdale.
“We have got a chance of getting in front of Hawkesdale. We have to win three out of our last four and hope they stumble a bit,” Kermond said.
“But we have to win this week and then see where everything sits after that.”
His side faces Panmure, Hawkesdale and second-placed Purnim in the remaining games, while Hawkesdale faces Purnim, Wangoom and bottom-side Mailors Flat.
“If we do make finals, we are going to deserve being there,” he said of Wangoom’s tough run home.
Kermond said the Roosters had one of their strongest sides playing today, with their second-highest wicket-taker Seamus O’Beirne the notable absentee through unavailability.
“If we win this week, we are not out of it. I think 220 is pretty competitive. It was a slowish outfield at Yambuk last week. They will have to bat all day.”
Kermond said the Roosters had improved throughout the season and the inclusion of former Princetown paceman Andrew Malone had been significant. He is the side’s leading wicket-taker with 17 at an average of 15.35.
In other games, Mailors Flat is well placed to push for an outright victory against Grassmere and climb off the bottom after a dramatic first day last Saturday.
The Jets resume at 9-81 having already secured first innings points, leading by 27 runs.
Second-placed Purnim will be out to defend its 8-285 against third-placed Killarney when play resumes at Killarney Recreation Reserve.