Manning second grade cricket sides will turn their attention to the finals once the season resumes on January 23. Let's look back at the season thus far and which sides will be in the mix for the 2020-21 premiership.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Taree United
A shock loss to Gloucester earlier in the season is the only blemish for the side.
Murray McCartney hasn't wavered in form, with 157 runs and five wickets. Despite an imposed restriction, Ricky Campbell has managed 155 runs.
McCartney and Campbell have smashed the most boundaries of the competition, a combined 49. Fellow veteran Danial Stone is leading wicket taker with 19.
Great Lakes
Like Taree United, the side has been consistent with both bat and ball.
Sam Hull has been in good touch and leads the competition for runs with 187. He has also spent the most time at the crease.
He's been ably supported by the Clark duo, with Blake scoring 160 runs so far and Ben falling just six runs shy of a ton against United.
Also restricted, Sam Whitbread has been devastating with the ball while Will Elliott has been the danger man with 13 wickets.
Old Bar
Given the talk about the aforementioned sides, Old Bar could be the dark horse heading into the second phase of the season.
They sit third on 30 points and at stages have looked competitive against the front runners. The side has dropped games to United and Great Lakes this season but they can take that as a learning curve.
Damon Minett has scored 182 runs, the second most this season. Tom Kelly, a fancied all-rounder with 15 wickets and 112 runs, and Kieran Green, 14 wickets, have also been handy contributors this season.
Taree West
The side definitely has the ability to go deep come finals time but execution is another story.
Workhorse bowler Jamil Ahmad has been outstanding this season with 17 wickets while all-rounder Paul Cox has the third most runs with 177 and has claimed 13 wickets.
Ahmad and Cox will be crucial to the side for the finals charge. If they can rekindle their performances from round two, where they claimed a 4-fa each in a win over Great Lakes, watch out.
Gloucester
The word 'potential' has been used a lot to describe the Bushmen, who have returned for a second season.
Issues with a consistent line-up have hurt, but when their best XI has taken the field they've looked lethal. Take the strong win against United as an example.
Wingham
It's been a disappointing season with a solitary win against Gloucester early on being a rare highlight.
The side is clearly down on troops, with many big names turning out for the club in the premier league.
