Justin Flynn looks at the state of Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade as the competition heads into the second half of the season.
ANGLESEA (1st)
Lost its first game in 55 the round before Christmas and there is no doubt this side is not the strongest it has been.
However, the Seas are still favourites to add to their silverware and are on top of the ladder, albeit on percentage.
One-dayers against Armstrong Creek, Ocean Grove and Jan Juc to start the New Year will be tricky and then two-dayers against the same opposition isn’t the easiest run home.
The Seas need Joel Davies to lead the way with the bat after the break.
The bowling remains strong, with slow options in Brett Venables and Joe Lynch and pace by Dylan Taylor and Dary Elliottt.
Finals are a certainty and another flag wouldn’t surprise at all.
ARMSTRONG CREEK (5th)
It has been a positive start to the club’s maiden A1 Grade campaign. The Titans are half a game out of the four, but double-up games against Anglesea, Jan Juc and Ocean Grove to end the season is far from easy.
The Titans may just fall short of a finals appearance, but don’t write them off, particularly if Clay Mulgrew (243 runs) continues his form with the bat and Daniel Maclean (15 wickets) keeps bowling well.
BARRABOOL (5th)
Started to get its act together before the break and looms as a genuine contender.
Brad Greenwood and Ed Morrison have added depth to the bowling while Jack Purcell has 258 runs so far and the ever consistent Kane Pickering has peeled off 243.
Currently the Bulls are in fourth spot and face Queenscliff, St Leonards and Inverleigh in both formats to round off the season.
They will beat St Leonards twice and will start favourites against Inverleigh. If they can pinch one against Queenscliff, a top two spot is possible.
INVERLEIGH (7th)
Inverleigh was looking at a relegation battle with St Leonards, but two wins before the break has given the side renewed hope of a late push to the finals.
While it’s unlikely the Kookaburras will make it, they can take comfort with their scalps before the Christmas break – top two sides Anglesea and Jan Juc.
Tough return clashes against Queenscliff and Barrabool might be a bridge too far, but two games against St Leonards should be wins.
Koba George continues to improve with the 16-year-old scoring 243 runs.
JAN JUC (2nd)
The Sharks will need to be more consistent in the second half of the season.
Poor performances against Queenscliff and Inverleigh are cause for concern.
Return clashes against Ocean Grove, Armstrong Creek and Anglesea spells a tough run home, but the good news is Jan Juc is still in second spot and its destiny is in its own hands.
The Sharks’ bowling attack is strong, led by Jordy Graham (17 wickets) and Tom Kearney (15), but they need more runs to challenge for the premiership.
OCEAN GROVE (6th)
The Grubbers are half a game outside the four and finals are still on the radar, but you sense that it’s a rebuilding season regardless.
Young players such as Sam McGlynn and Bailey Le Maistre as well as Noah Brooks are being given a taste of A Grade cricket and the club will be better for it.
Shaun Fanhauser is in career best form to be the comp’s leading run scorer with 281.
Return games against the top two sides and Armstrong Creek might mean the top four spot is beyond the Grubbers.
QUEENSCLIFF (3rd)
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Coutas take out the minor premiership.
Two games against St Leonards and Inverleigh should mean at least three wins while Barrabool presents a more difficult task.
Queenscliff will make the finals. The only question is where do they finish?
Tim Frankenburg shook off an unusually quiet start to the season with a superb 95 before Christmas in an ominous sign.
ST LEONARDS (8th)
The Saints haven’t looked like winning a game although their past few performances have shown much improvement.
Kanishka Nawagamuwa has been a shining light with 253 runs, including two scores in the 90s, but it’s the bowling that has seen the Saints struggle although a six-wicket haul from Shanaka Kethbevilage was certainly encouraging.
It’s hard to see St Leonards winning a game and relegation seems a certainty, especially with Inverleigh being the giant killers and opening up a 15-point buffer.
