Premier Belvoir is in danger of becoming only the second club in the last decade to miss finals after a premiership.
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The Eagles posted only 163 from 74.3 overs against finals contender Albury.
Given the tightness of the competition and the results following day one of the final round, it’s difficult to argue a loss would automatically end Belvoir’s season.
However, the total has put the club in the firing line.
Wodonga was the last club to miss finals after winning the 2011-12 grand final, but that was in a four-team format.
“It was very disappointing,” Eagles’ captain Matt Jaensch said.
“Albury bowled very well on the day no doubt about it, full credit to them, but when you’re 6-74 in the 30th over, it’s not a great situation to be in when it’s a must-win game for us.”
If Belvoir do make finals, it could be largely on the back of a 48-run last-wicket stand between Cameron McCormack and Zac Simmonds.
The home team had collapsed to 9-115, before McCormack finished unbeaten on 28, while Simmonds contributed 15.
“A lot of weight did get put on our shoulders with the tail-enders,” Jaensch said.
“So for Zac and Cam to come in and do what they did at the end, as well as ‘Micko’ (Russell), Lachie (McMillan) and myself, to get us to 163 was a great effort.”
Aaron Hoskin claimed three wickets, while Kade Brown chipped in with two.
“Hoskin bowled well, he was swinging it around a fair bit,” Jaensch said.
“I thought Kade Brown, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him bowl his leg-spinners and I thought he bowled very well, very consistent for a leg-spinner.”
Belvoir’s total is its lowest in the past four two-day games.
Albury bowled very well on the day no doubt about it, full credit to them, but when you’re 6-74 in the 30th over, it’s not a great situation to be in when it’s a must-win game for us.
- Matt Jaensch
The Eagles defended 253 against Tallangatta in round 12, and dismissed East Albury for 139, before finishing with 172.
But Albury’s batting line-up has more match-winners than the youthful Crows, particularly in co-coach Alex Popko and Brown, so it will take a mighty effort to roll the visitors, who simply must win to break a finals drought.
“Runs on the board, we’ll back ourselves to defend 163,” Jaensch said.
“If we had have got 100, we’d have backed ourselves to defend that.”
It’s been a frustrating season for Belvoir, which skittled Wodonga for only 116 in last year’s decider.
The club has never strung more than two wins together, but it’s also never racked up more than two losses either.
The Eagles have split their 14 rounds, while East Albury and Albury, which sits below them on the ladder, has one fewer loss each.
Tallangatta is the only club to have posted an outright win after day one, against Wodonga Raiders, jumping from seventh to third.
