BLUES captain Darren Coleman reckons today’s clash with City United at No. 1 Oval will “make or break” his side’s Ray White Real Estate Tamworth first grade cricket semi-finals hopes.
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Fourth-placed Blues tackle fifth-placed City United in the eighth round match. With just three rounds left The Blues (17) have a one point advantage over City United (16) with Bective-East (14) ready to pounce.
Bective-East play third-placed West Leagues at Scully Park in a game Bective must win to stay in contention.
Bective has named its strongest side with young Quirindi paceman Nick Hird part of a medium pace attack including the outstanding Andrew Clements, Danny Dewberry, Greg Tighe and Alan Austin.
The Blues have also named a strong side with only Mal Collier unavailable today.
Collier has been bracketed with Nathan Thompson and is available next Saturday.
“It’s a big game for us, whether we make it or not,” Coleman said after a busy Thursday night training session with the West Lions rugby league side.
“If we can win this one then we’re a very good chance of making the semis.”
He’s hoping the batsman-friendly No. 1 Oval will help his top order batsmen find some batting form.
The Blues bowlers have a big task too. Brad Biddle, Daniel Ray, Cameron Davies and teenage Blake Andren will shoulder much of the burden with medium pace allrounder Shane Coleman and off-spinner Terry Coleman also prominent.
Shane and Terry Coleman have also been in good form with the bat in the middle order.
Teenage paceman Blake Andren may take a bigger hand today after being disadvantaged by a back injury in recent weeks.
“Blake’s had a bit of a sore back, and has not been bowling that well,” Darren Coleman said.
“Too much cricket maybe, but he bowls pretty well and has plenty of potential.”