Decisive clash key to Rosellas’ finals fortunes

LETHBRIDGE’S women’s team is chasing its maiden A-grade finals campaign in the Geelong Cricket Association.

The Rosellas, who are in their second season in the top grade, are among a pack of teams vying for finals ahead of the penultimate round.

Third-placed Barwon Heads and fourth-ranked Lethbridge are on 26 points each with St Joseph’s and East Belmont outside the top four on 20 points apiece.

Lethbridge hosts East Belmont this Sunday, February 16 in a twenty-30 contest, hoping to atone for a T20 loss earlier this summer, and is also eager to bounce back from a narrow defeat to the Seagulls, in which the 3-170 total was surpassed in 29 overs.

North Geelong recruit Chloe Smith (58 not out) and English import Suzana Ljubojevic (83) starred as the Rosellas’ opening pair but Barwon Heads’ batters also had a day out.

Lethbridge coach Vihang Ahlawat said the group would look to tighten up their bowling.

“Statistically we concede the most, and we also score the most if I’m not mistaken,” Ahlawat said.

“So it’s fair to say we are a batting side but we did get some more recruits during the season to strengthen up our bowling.

“So hopefully when they settle in and do their little bit, I think we should be okay in the bowling side of things as well.”

In other round 13 matches, St Joseph’s hosts Geelong City, Highton Durran welcomes Barwon Heads and North Geelong has South Barwon.

BY BRIAN ALLEN