Hinds
Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
LUCAS AND Manchester both have season deciding games to play today, as the Supreme Ventures Super Cup's penultimate games in the preliminary round gets under way at 10:00 a.m.
With just two rounds to go, Lucas (17) have found themselves tucked neatly in fourth spot, with only a point separating themselves from Manchester in fifth position.
In order to ensure that they (Lucas) remain in fourth position they must score an outright win against long-time rivals Kensington at Nelson Oval.
A victory for Lucas doesn't, however, rule out Manchester, who could upset the applecart if they manage an outright win when they play against St. Elizabeth at Kirkvine.
St. Catherine (second on 23 points) and JDF (third on 20) are both within the reach of Manchester, so they will have to make sure that when they play against Melbourne (26 the only safe semi-finalists) and Westmoreland, respectively, they do not falter.
AT HOME
Both St. Catherine and JDF have the luxury of staying at home (Chedwin Park and Camp respectively) for these games, while a match-up of statistical importance sees Kingston hosting Boys' Town at Sabina Park.
St. Catherine must be cursing their luck for having to play against the team that have proven to be the most consistent up to this point. The JDF, however, couldn't have asked for a better match-up as their Westmoreland opponents have only managed five points from their last seven games.
The outright win scenario that has been analysed is, however, a very unlikely one as garnering points in that manner has been a rare commodity since the start of the competition.
The likelihood of outright wins then takes us right back to the number four and five positions, who will have to ensure that they take care of at least first innings points.
For Lucas that might not be too difficult because they play against a Kensington team that haven't really been among the runs. Both their openers average in the teens and they only have Maurice Kepple and Samuel Douglas that average over 40. Ranville Brown in their lower middle order has, however, been doing well with an average slightly over 30.
STRENGTH
On the other hand Kensington can argue that their strength really lies in their bowling. They boast a formidable attack, with Kevin Peart, Dennis Bulli and Peter Colquhoun, all providing spin on a surface that is notoriously cruel to pace bowlers.
Lucas do have spinners of their own, however, and can point to Omar Burke, who has taken more than one five wicket haul this season and possesses good control of flight and turn. In the pace department they have the very experienced Ashuman Kentish, who on a good day can create damage even on a placid Nelson Oval wicket.
With all that said, however, Lucas will have to hope that Kensington's Wavell Hinds does not come to the party fully prepared to take the game by the scruff of the neck. If that happens then Lucas might be kissing their semi-final hopes goodbye.
