By David Nagel
Is Pakenham a true premiership contender in the WGCA Premier Division – or has the Lions recent run of six consecutive wins merely camouflaged an inability to match it with the best teams in the competition?
We will find out more in round 11 this weekend when the third-placed Lions host ladder-leaders Kooweerup in the match-of-the-day at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions finished off last season disastrously – not winning a game after Christmas – giving up their previously set-and-forget reservation inside the top four.
And they began this season in similar fashion, losing to Cardinia, Tooradin and Kooweerup – after a first-round washout against Merinda Park – to sit in the lower reaches of the ladder after round four.
Given the vagaries of the WGCA reverse draw, the Lions then embarked on a six-game stretch of games against the bottom three teams in the competition.
They went six from six…the perfect result…but now face the three leading premiership contenders once again – then Merinda Park!
Can they win against the Demons?
The Lions have the talent, with Chris Smith having a blinder at the top of the order and Jason Williams and Rob Elston digging deep when needed most to keep the Lions’ season alive.
The X-Factor comes from players like Troy McDermott and Sean Gramc, while the recent inclusion of dual-premiership player Zac Chaplin has added a touch of class at second drop.
But the Lions need more from opener Jack Anning and skipper Dale Tormey – one of the most dangerous players in the competition who has scored just one half-century in his five visits to the crease.
If Anning can stick with Smith, and get the Lions off to a start, and Tormey returns to his best, the Lions are in this one up to their big fluffy ears.
Williams (14 wickets), James Close (13), Paddy Lawson (11), Tom Brennan (11) and McDermott (10) will then be up against one of the most feared batting line ups in the competition, with master-blaster Chris Bright, talented all-rounder Luke McMaster, and veterans Matt Davey and Chris O’Hara forever proving a stumbling block.
We’ll go for Pakenham to prove its credentials and win a thriller!
In other games this week, reigning premier Cardinia will look for its first win since round eight when it heads to bottom-placed Carlisle Park, while Cranbourne Meadows and Clyde will battle for sixth place when they lock horns at Lawson Poole Reserve.
The Rebels are dangerous at the top of the order, while Clyde has the talent to match it with any team on its day.
And finally, Tooradin host Merinda Park in a crunch game for both teams.
The Seagulls need to win to keep top spot as an option, while the Cobras will be desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Cobras have won four, and tied one of their last six, so will go in confident against one of this season’s true contenders.
TIPS – ROUND 11
PAKENHAM v Kooweerup
Carlisle Park v CARDINIA
Cranbourne Meadows v CLYDE
TOORADIN v Merinda Park
