Cricket comp takes one last twist

WITH Division 1 minor premiers and semi-finalists already decided, the Ipswich Division 2 cricket competition is where the action is this weekend.

With one round remaining, four teams are in the hunt for the minor premiership.

Laidley appeared to have it wrapped up before their shock loss to Marburg last Saturday.

Now Laidley (139 points) lead Fassifern (136), Strollers (129) and Brothers (128).

Strollers play Laidley in the final round, Brothers play sixth-placed Centrals White while Fassifern appear to have the simplest task against second-from-bottom Centrals Maroon.

However, Fassifern captain Craig Harsant is taking nothing for granted.

“We struggled against Northsiders who are bottom of the ladder so we’re not counting our chickens yet,” he said.

Last Saturday, Fassifern almost found themselves out of the hunt when they stared down the barrel of outright defeat against Eastern Raiders.

Raiders needed 15 runs with six wickets in hand to win.Then, incredibly, two to win with four wickets left.

But Fassifern held their nerve to win by one run, Raiders losing 4-0.

“I don’t think I’ve played in a game like that in 20 years,” Harsant said. “The game was gone.”

Harsant believes his team is better equipped in such situations than some because they don’t take it all too seriously.

“Other teams have their pre-game warm-ups and team meetings,” he said.

“We just kept going hard at them. I just tried to rotate our bowlers a bit and tried a few different things.

“Brendan Hines (4-27 and 4-46) was our main bowler but we’ve got plenty to pick from.”

The challenge this week is to again play their natural game without thinking about what is at stake.

If last weekend was any indication, they’ll have no problem.