Sitting in second place, and boasting the best quotient in the league, the Lakers appear destined for a tilt at the premiership. But what does the run home look like?
Round 12 — vs Moama
Nagambie takes on Moama this weekend at Moama, and given the bye at the weekend and a walkover against Kyabram before the Christmas break, it will serve as the Lakers’ first taste of competitive cricket in more than a month.
Moama currently sits fourth and is fighting for a finals berth also, so expect a hard-fought battle — especially if Moama skipper Delaney Laffy continues the form she showed last weekend, belting an unbeaten 50 from 30 deliveries against Nathalia.
Round 13 — vs Cooma
The Lakers return to Nagambie Recreation Reserve to host Cooma, which currently sits eighth with just three wins to its name.
In their round three match-up, the Lakers bowled Cooma out for 59 in 17.5 overs, and took just five overs to chase down the total without losing a wicket. You’d expect more of the same in the rematch.
Round 14 — vs Shepparton Youth Club United
Nagambie will host another finals contender, Shepparton Youth Club United, in a one-dayer in round 14.
The two sides faced off in round one, with SYCU handing Nagambie one of its only two losses so far this season, claiming a six-wicket win.
Skipper Kait Carracher was the only Nagambie bat to fire that day, making 28 as the lone Laker in double figures, while the bowling attack had no answers for the dangerous Mel Saunders, who blasted 47 not out to power SYCU to a big win.
Currently sitting third, Shepparton Youth Club United will fancy its chances of repeating the feat, and the matchup could go a long way towards determining which team claims second on the ladder.
Round 15 — vs Echuca
The final home-and-away round of the season will see Nagambie travel to take on Echuca in a T20, with the reigning premier currently fifth on the ladder.
Nagambie took the chocolates in the round four clash between the pair courtesy of Kayle Shepard (26) and Breanna Davison (22 not out) with the bat, while an all-round bowling performance kept the Victoria Park natives to just 81 from 20 overs.
With weapons on either side, this clash could go either way, but the Lakers will be hoping they have their finals spot well and truly sewn up beforehand.
Verdict
The unbeaten Mooroopna looks to have a vice-like grip on top spot, but wins in three of the four remaining contests should help Nagambie retain second spot.
Shepparton Youth Club United looms as the toughest fixture out of the four and it could wrest second from Nagambie’s grip; however, you’d expect the Lakers to be too good for each of Moama, Cooma and Echuca, and easily make their way into the first week of finals.
