ST PATRICK’S has vowed to put its roller-coaster Cricket Albury-Wodonga season behind it ahead of today’s clash against New City at Xavier Oval.
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Although the sixth-placed Patties can finish as high as fourth heading into the final round, Kane Arendarcikas is more concerned about beating the Phoenix and stitching up a finals berth than worrying about possible semi- final opponents.
“We had a meeting on Thursday night and spoke about forgetting what has happened so far this season,” Arendarcikas said yesterday.
“We have been a bit all over the shop.
“Everyone is focused on New City and hopefully semi-finals will come after that.
“We can still drop out if we lose and Belvoir beats Wodonga Raiders outright, so we just want to come out and play some good cricket.
“Given what happened last year it doesn’t matter where you finish in the top six.”
The Patties have been on a wild ride all season with a loss, win, loss, win record in their past four outings.
But any team with experienced campaigners Luke Restall, Jon Shaw, Andrew Lade, Heath Naughton, Arendarcikas and Mark Butters in its line-up will be treated with extreme caution at the business end of the season.
Butters, who was last season’s CAW leading wicket-taker, has returned to the team after grabbing 8-8 off 6.3 overs in second grade against Lavington last round.
Arendarcikas said Butters had been managing a back injury since Christmas and was sent back for a long spell to regain some confidence.
“It didn’t work out that way as he ripped through them,” he said.
“He’s got some confidence back though and says he’s ready to go.”
With a swag of CAW bowlers including Naughton and Jarryd Hatton being invited to bowl to South Africa next weekend, the Patties will be looking to bat and set a good score to chase.
Phoenix leg-spinner Callum Langlands is now available after the West Indies cancelled a training session at Manuka Oval.
New City has struggled to cover the departure of skipper John Pratt since Christmas, with Hayden Wishart and Mitch O’Brien forced to shoulder extra responsibility in the top order.
We have been a bit all over the shop ... We can still drop out if we lose and Belvoir beats Wodonga Raiders outright so we just want to come out and play some good cricket. Kane Arendarcikas
