The equation is simple for Rockbank; avoid defeat to St Johns in the final round of the Western Suburbs Churches & Community Cricket Association’s A.E Lowe Shield, and play finals.
Lose outright and it will come down to percentages between the two … or the Rams will have to rely on an upset win by bottom side AA Maidstone over other finals’ hopeful West Melbourne.
Having won the past three games, the Rams can be confident of its final round match-up, but won’t be taking it easy, player Daniel Piccolo insists.
Piccolo knows this could be a danger game, with his side likely to be missing four out of its regulars through work and other commitments, including himself.
“Jackson Spencer will be missing, so will Mathew Paull, and I’m not going to be able to play,” he said. “If we make finals, we should have everyone back.”
On Saturday, the Rams easily accounted for Taylors Hill, but couldn’t get the outright points that would have sealed their finals’ fate.
Taylors Hill made 140 in its innings, with Rockbank resuming at 0-25, before going on to make 5-213.
Piccolo said it was fantastic to see the efforts of Spencer and Paull.
“Mathew hadn’t bowled all season,” he said. “He took four wickets and bowled the house down.
“Jackson then made his second straight century. He ended up 101 not-out. He’s hitting form at the right time.”
The Rams then sent Taylors Hill back in, with a lead of 73 on the first innings. But Taylors Hill made 6-105.
Piccolo said it is imperative they get the job done in the final round.
“We definitely want to go on and play the grand final. I would be happy if we could at least make the grand final.”
In other matches, ladder-leaders Eynesbury Eagles recorded an easy outright victory, bowling Maidstone out for just 42 in the first innings, before declaring at 1-106.
Maidstone put up more of a fight in the second innings, making 154. The Eagles changed the batting line-up and still made the runs with six wickets in hand.
The Eagles finished 4-94, securing top spot with one round remaining.
Meanwhile, Williams Landing defeated St Johns, and West Melbourne accounted for Altona Sports.
