Force’s finals bid on the line
ALBERTON’S finals hopes will sink or swim on the result of their key Kookaburra Cup clash that winds up at David Johnston Oval today.
The Force have the formidable task of surpassing the 345 put on by Surfers Paradise last weekend and captain Craig Mitchell concedes top-four for the finals will be all but out of reach if the run chase fails.
Surfers are third on the ladder (102.65 points) and will stitch up a place in the playoffs with victory.
Alberton are fourth on 86.75 but have five other clubs within 17.02 points of them – Southport-Labrador, Palm Beach-Currumbin, Coomera-Hope Island, Mudgeeraba-Nerang and Runaway Bay.
Queens, Broadbeach-Robina and Surfers look to have the top-three spots wrapped up.
“We have a harder draw than any of those teams but at the end of the day you have to beat those sides anyway,” Mitchell said.
“Yes, we’d be in the hot seat if we can’t win this one and it’s the first time we’ve had that many (345) put on us.
“Surfers batted excellently last week on a great wicket and a fast outfield.
“If conditions are the same for us we definitely have the batting to get the runs.”
Mitchell, Justin and Simon Larrescy, Shane Connors and Corey Galloway hold the key to a Force win.
Mudgeeraba have emerged as the sleepers in top-four discussions. The Bushmen may be eighth on standings but are just 9.97 points behind Alberton and have set themselves up to beat Coomera with a score of 7-273 last weekend at Bartercard Oval.
After Coomera, Mudgeeraba play Loganholme and Burleigh, two very winnable games and probably the easiest run to the semis.
Skipper Mitch Daly knows a loss to Coomera would just about be it for 2016-17 – one of the closest seasons in years.
“It’s unbelievable, the competition this year – six clubs still in with a chance of making the top four and it’s great to see,” Daly said.
“Those last two games won’t matter if we don’t perform (today). In fact, if any of those six teams drop one they’d be behind the eight-ball.”
In other games, Loganholme (87 and 1-22) are in strife against Palm Beach-Currumbin (3-123 declared) at Tansey Park; Southport-Labrador are defending 176 against Broadbeach-Robina at GUGC Sports Oval; Burleigh are up against Runaway Bay (9-262) at Avid Concrete Oval; and Queens resume at 3-48 against Helensvale-Pacific Pines (107) at Arthur Angove Park.