STRATFORD and Boisdale-Briagolong face top three opposition on Saturday as they try to make up the gap to Sale-Maffra cricket’s top four.
With play washed-out last weekend, round 13 will be completed as one-day games.
Stratford will host third-placed Bundalaguah, which is looking to secure a place in the top two and a home semi-final.
Boisdale-Briagolong has an away game against a Rosedale-Kilmany side playing to stay in the top two.
Sale, Rosedale-Kilmany and Bundalaguah are sitting more comfortably in the top four following last Saturday’s wash-outs.
Third-placed Bundalaguah is more than 12 points ahead of Maffra in fourth with Stratford and Boisdale-Briagolong six points further back.
Last Saturday’s wash-outs dashed hopes of teams earning outright points this weekend to propel themselves up the ladder, just as Sale did last round to move to the top.
STRATFORD’S hopes of keeping its premiership defence alive beyond round 14 will go on the line against Bundalaguah.
With a game against bottom side Sale City to follow, the Redbacks need to at least maintain the gap to fourth place to remain in the hunt for finals.
Victories over Stratford and Sale to round out the home-and-away season will help the Bulls’ chances of claiming the minor premiership.
VICTORY is also imperative for Boisdale-Briagolong to remain in the chase for a place in the top four.
A win over Rosedale-Kilmany for the Saints could set-up a potential mini-final against Maffra in round 14.
Undefeated since December, the Warriors have their eyes on the minor premiership.
SALE will be looking to remain in first place when it hosts Maffra.
Just four points separates the top three sides on the ladder with victory over Maffra and Bundalaguah in the final round, to put Sale in good stead to at least finish in the top two.
Sale has won its past three matches, with a last start outright victory over Collegians providing momentum at the right time of the season.
A win for Maffra, and defeats for Stratford and Boisdale-Briagolong, could close the door on the teams outside the four.
Two weeks ago, the Eagles were outclassed by Rosedale-Kilmany and will need to lift with bat and ball.
SALE City and Collegians will meet in what could be their best chance to record a victory – in the Lizards’ case, their first – before the season ends.
Collegians will be out to prove their outright loss to Sale was an aberration, while Sale City put in an improved showing in the second innings to avoid outright defeat to Bundalaguah.
