WITH only four rounds remaining in CAW’s Provincial competition, BRETT KOHLHAGEN takes a look at each team’s progress heading into the business end of the season.
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The good: Where do you start? The Dogs have dropped only one match against Tallangatta, in round 4, and keep getting results despite having a modest bowling attack on paper. Brendan Klein-Boonschate has stepped up superbly in James Saker’s absence and, although he will relocate to Bendigo, will travel back to play for the reigning premier. Few skippers prepare better than Robbie Jackson.
The bad: Next question.
The road ahead: Belvoir, North Albury, Albury, Lavington.
The good: Crows captain James McNeil no longer needs to feel like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders when he bats. Although he’s still the wicket opposition teams chase most, the development of Kris Milosta, Caleb Barras and Nick Hanlon has eased the load. Cameron White has 25 wickets and could top last season’s 46 scalps.
The bad: A shock hiding at the hands of Belvoir in round 9.
The road ahead: Tallangatta, St Patrick’s, New City, North Albury.
The good: The Hoppers have exceeded all expectations by being third on the ladder with four rounds remaining. Another plus is they have done it without a huge season from No. 1 batsman David Farrell, who has a top score of 59. Captain Matt Kirkwood remains one of the most underrated leaders in CAW.
The bad: Haven’t beaten another team in the top four and have a testing run to the finals.
The road ahead: New City, Wodonga, Wodonga Raiders, East Albury.
The good: An even spread of contributors has kept the Panthers around the mark. Nathan Brown, Mick Howard, Sam Harris, Andrew Mackinlay and Tom Hargreaves have all had their moments in the sun with the bat. Brown has been the stand-out with 262 runs and 15 wickets.
The bad: Similar to North Albury, they need to beat a top team for some genuine belief.
The road ahead: Wodonga Raiders, Tallangatta, St Patrick’s, Wodonga.
The good: The Bushies have been outstanding since making a slow start to the season. Torquil McKillop‘s 205no against Wodonga Raiders stands out as the best innings of the season, while Sam Stephens has done well with the ball. Opposition teams will be wary, especially with Steve Wood set to play in coming weeks.
The bad: It’s splitting hairs, but Tallangatta hasn’t put together a complete batting performance, with one batsman usually standing out from the pack.
The road ahead: East Albury, Lavington, Belvoir, Albury.
The good: Veteran paceman Heath Naughton was written off in circles early in the season but has bounced back to be in the top five wicket-takers. Youngster Tom Ellwood is back from Canberra club Ginninderra and, from all reports, is a far better batsman than when he left.
The bad: The batting. It’s yet to fire a shot but the Patties are still in the top six.
The road ahead: Albury, East Albury, Lavington, New City.
The good: Kade Brown, Grant Wells and Nick Morris have all scored centuries to keep the line-up within striking distance of finals action. Brown leads CAW’s run aggregate with 431 in a clear signs the captaincy agrees with him.
The bad: The difference between Albury’s good and bad is still too great. It needs to find some middle ground.
The road ahead: St Patrick’s, Belvoir, Wodonga, Tallangatta.
The good: Belvoir has a game plan revolving around spin twins Zach Simmonds and Ryan McNeil and it has worked reasonably well. They have sent down 258 overs between them to cover the lack of genuine new ball bowlers. Look much better with wicket-keeper-batsman Nat Sariman back at Kelly Park.
The bad: Two losses to North Albury to start the year put the Eagles behind the game and they have struggled to get back on track ever since.
The road ahead: Wodonga, Albury, Tallangatta, Wodonga Raiders.
The good: Hayden Wishart has stunned everyone. The former Holbrook player sits in the top 10 runscorers with John Pratt and Mitch O’Brien in hot pursuit. Brothers Callum and Doulton Langlands are coming along with the bat and the future looks bright. They just need time to develop.
The bad: With the youngest team in the competition, ups and downs with invariably come and that has been the story at Urana Road Oval.
The road ahead: North Albury, Wodonga Raiders, East Albury, St Patrick’s.
The good: Without doubt, the Raiders’ first-up win against Tallangatta. Kori Stevenson continues to blossom while spinner Avery Weilandt is a work in progress. The return of Jesse Griffiths was a godsend.
The bad: It has been tough going after a bright start to the season.
The road ahead: Lavington, New City, North Albury, Belvoir.
