THE final round of the Grampians Cricket Association A Grade this year takes place at the weekend, with just two matches scheduled.
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After a rain-affected final day of round five, teams will be keen to get a full day’s play under their belt before the Christmas break.
Second-placed Swifts-Great Western takes on second-last Aradale at Stawell’s Central Park in what could be a one-sided game.
Swifts-Great Western is yet to suffer defeat throughout the opening five rounds, with captain Sam Cocks pleased with how the side is travelling.
The side is four points behind leaders Youth Club, who have a bye this weekend.
“Obviously we want to keep winning and keep ourselves in the top two and in touching distance of Youth Club,” Cocks said.
“We haven’t played Aradale this season but obviously they have had some mixed results.
“It’s like a lot of teams around here, their performances depend on the quality of players they have available.
“We have had some close battles with them in the past.”
Cocks said while his side’s batting has been strong this season, he has been pleased with his side’s bowling performances.
Swifts-Great Western kept Halls Gap to just 57 in round three, limited St Andrews to 134 in round four and bowled out Pomonal for 100 in the two-day fixture in round five.
“We have had a really mixed bag of guys performing with the bat and it’s been a good even spread, but it has been our bowling that has kept us in most games,” Cocks said.
“Matt Fitzgerald took about 10 wickets across two rounds and that helped, while our pace brigade with Matt Heffer and Lachlan Patching have been doing well.”
Despite being so close to Christmas, Cocks said availability was looking good before the A Grade season pauses until January 12.
“It looks like we will field two strong sides, hopefully finish off the year well and enjoy a bit of a break during the Christmas period,” he said.
In the other A Grade game this weekend, two sides with mixed starts to the season in Halls Gap and Pomonal will meet at Alexandra Oval.
Pomonal is coming off a big loss to Swifts-Great Western, while Halls Gap’s batting line-up continued to struggle in round five against St Andrews. Both sides are searching for their second wins of the 2018-19 season.
All of the other A Grade sides – Youth Club, Buangor-Tatyoon and St Andrews – all have byes during the final round of the year.
