Jan Juc, Barrabool vying for remaining BPCA finals spot

BARRABOOL and Jan Juc are in a hot finals race, each on 33 points ahead of the final home and away round of the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association 1st XI season.

Only percentage separates the fourth-placed Bulls and fifth-ranked Sharks.

Jan Juc is facing the bigger challenge across the next fortnight as they welcome Barwon Heads who are sitting third and in contention to grab a top-two spot.

Sharks coach Nick Hyden outlined the equation.

“We left our finals chances partly in someone else’s hands, we probably faulted in a few games just after Christmas and then a couple before Christmas when we could’ve put a gap on Barrabool,” he said.

“But as it stands now, we need them to win small and we win big or they lose and we win.

“It’s a little frustrating it’s not more in our own hands but that’s the way the season’s played out.”

Hyden said Jan Juc’s bowling had been more consistent than their batting and the group was aiming to convert starts into big scores.

He said anything north of 200 would put the Sharks’ bowlers right in the game while noting they were sweating on the fitness of opening bowler Jake Hewitt (sore thumb).

The league juggernaut of recent years missed out on finals last summer after playing off in the decider the year before.

“The aim is to get in the finals and then you can start it again and it’s anyone’s game,” Hyden said.

Following their strong batting performance (8-206) against ladder-leader Armstrong Creek, Barrabool host sixth-placed Queenscliff.

Drysdale host Anglesea and Ocean Grove have Armstrong Creek in other round 14 clashes.

BPCA round 13 day two action was abandoned last Saturday due to the association’s heat policy. All teams shared the points.