Much on the line for CoG

AS we head to the Christmas break, Round 12 of the midweek pennant has two teams at the top of the ladder clashing.

Queenscliff will do battle with City of Geelong, boasting a two-game buffer on City having beaten them earlier in the season.

Queenscliff’s form has been impeccable this summer, dropping just the one game to Highton.

Settled teams, consistent front end performances and strong skippers in Barrie Close, Barry Gladman and Kevin Thompson have provided the formula that all clubs strive for.

However it’s City that has the most to play for, with just 16 points between it and sixth- placed Leopold. A loss could see City go out of the four, but its ability to win crucial games in recent weeks has seen it advanced to second place.

“The move of Kerrie Gooley to lead has given their rink a great start and has been a key factor in the rink’s recent success,” City skipper Rod Day said.

Day added he had been happy with his own form, “but gee, it makes a difference with a good start”.

“Jacquie (Jacqueline McLaren) is always hard to beat,” he said.

“We’ve been getting over the line big games. We will see what happens.”

The other big game has an undermanned Leopold with key players Ernie and Kay Robbins, Terry Halliday and Alan Taylor all missing for the vital clash with third-placed Highton.

Leopold will need plenty of the Nicole Shortis magic if it is to get over the line.

The consistent Highton team should put a real dampener on Leopold‘s final chances.

Portarlington at home is a big show to make it two in a row against Lara, while Torquay should be much too strong for Cement, with Ocean Grove 1 to beat Ocean Grove 2.

In Division 2, St Leonards — even without one of its leading skippers Tony Long — should account for Clifton Springs.

Bell Post Hill can sneak its second win against Highton, Bannockburn will beat Point Lonsdale, RSL meets Torquay in a tight one and Geelong should narrowly beat Belmont.