Rain puts question mark on play

Brothers bowler Mitch Sartori may have to wait until next weekend to have another crack at Country Wests.

CRICKET: Rain appears likely to halt all proceedings at Salter Oval this weekend, bringing an end to Alloway, Norths and Brothers White’s finals campaigns without a ball being bowled.

According to curator Paul Denning, the fields are in the worst state of the season and, with continued rain forecast, any play seems unlikely.

It matters little in the division one game between Country Wests and Brothers, considering both teams are destined to meet in the decider next week regardless of the result.

But for those battling it out in division two, three and four, the hard work to make the final four may be for nothing.

“I’d be nervous if I was Alloway,” Brothers Blue captain Arty Richardson said of the fourth-ranked team in division two.

“In previous years with fewer teams in each division, you didn’t have to do much to make the final. But they’ve done well to get there and may not get a chance to prove themselves.”

Richardson’s side is slated to play table-toppers Across The Waves in the division two major semi final.

The winner will progress, and if rain does play a part, Waves will automatically qualify.

“I guess you deserve it if you finish first, but we are just hoping to knock them off in the big one,” Richardson said.

Waves boast a young team full of emerging talent and have had the wood on the more mature side.

“People have been writing us off, but I don’t mind that. I know we can beat anyone at full strength,” Richardson said.

Waves will start favourites regardless, as they will in division three and four after finishing on top in all three divisions.

“That’s definitely an achievement,” Waves head coach Noel Stitt said.

He remained positive despite the division one side’s poor showing since Christmas.

“We were only really one win away in the end. And you win some, you lose some, don’t you,” he said.

In division three Burnett Heads — loaded with talent — have come into form at the back end of the season and could push Waves Gold for the premiership.

Brothers Pink is looking the goods in division four after knocking over Brothers Bashers last week.