THE top of the Sunraysia Cricket Association’s First Division ladder is in sight for Irymple.
The Swallows, courtesy of a three-wicket win over Settlers at the weekend, have closed to within five points of the reigning premiers.
They have 20 points on offer over the next two rounds, on Saturday against third-placed Workers Gol Gol and then against East (seventh) in one-day matches.
Then they have two-dayers against Coomealla Wentworth (eighth) and Merbein South (sixth) with 20 points plus bonus points on offer — plenty of chances to make up the 4.82 point gap between the Swallows in second place and Settlers.
“We just obviously want to keep improving, we’re actually trying to gun for that top spot now to really put some pressure on Setts,” Irymple captain Jordan Payne said.
“Winning (Saturday) was a massive help in that, it got us to within five points on the joint ladder – not the one-day ladder – so we’re gunning for top.
“We need to do everything right on our end. Hopefully Setts lose a game or we pick up a couple of points in these coming two-dayers and then go into the last few games of the year (with a chance).”
But Payne said it was important his side didn’t get too far ahead of themselves.
“We’re trying to not look too far ahead – obviously Chase (Stone) has to come back into the side so we’ve got a selection issue for the next game,” he said.
“In terms of improvement we probably need to find some blokes to score some runs somewhere, that’s the only other thing for us – our bowling has been what it is all year – it’s been the best it has ever been I think.
“Blokes have been doing what they are asked and they are executing, which is the best bit.”
