EAST Albury skipper Allister Rose says the Provincial title fight is the closest in years.
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Six teams remain in the race to be Cricket Albury-Wodonga champion with semi-finals today and tomorrow.
East Albury faces the in-form team post-Christmas in Wodonga, but Rose says the Bulldogs are just one of six teams capable of taking the crown.
“It’s the closest it’s been for a while,” Rose said yesterday.
East Albury finished the home-and-away rounds third after one win on second innings, two on first innings and four draws – a big improvement on last season when they finished eighth.
Last year’s premier Wodonga struggled until its last-round win against Lavington made it a finals threat.
Rose said his team didn’t care who it played.
”We were happy with an outright last week (against New City at Alexandra Park),” said Rose, who is in the second year as skipper.
“It was a good hit-out.
“It’s just been frustrating with the rain so it’s been good to get a couple of weeks in a row.
“We’ve been getting better each week.”
East Albury will miss opener Lloyd Shepherd, who has made two hundreds. He is unavailable and Richard Sargeant has been promoted.
“It’s a blow not having Lloyd,” Rose said. “He has been in good form.
“Alexandra Park should be a good pitch so 300-plus would be a good score there.”
Wodonga skipper Robbie Jackson, who has scored 506 runs, again shapes as a key for Wod-onga with the bat as will wicketkeeper-batsman Ian Roberts (338 runs).
For East Albury, Ash Hockin is averaging 41.57, while Brad Neyland (13 wickets), Grant Lewis (13) and Cameron White (12) have all impressed with the ball.
All-rounder Connor Kilpatrick, 17, said East Albury could make next week’s preliminary finals.
“We should have a win,” the Albury High School student said.
“They have some good batsmen but we have the attack to get them.”