Although not officially concrete a mere month out from the knockout rounds, the association’s internal vapour is swiftly rising to the top to solidify the final four spots in the competition.
Nathalia requires a couple of outright wins to topple Barooga from its perch in fourth and will have no better chance to begin its ascent than when it hosts the Eagles on Saturday.
Barooga clinched a thrilling two-wicket win during the sides’ previous meeting in the one-day format in November and looks in fine touch having picked up wins from three of its past five encounters.
Over at Memorial Park, a win for a Deniliquin Rhinos will all but cement their spot in second.
Hosting Katamatite on Saturday, the side was forced to share the points with Cobram last week following the scorching temperatures which affected play but will be lifted by the performance of middle-order pillar Brodie Bennett, who blasted 52 at five for his first half-century of the season.
However, the Boosey Creek Tigers can surpass the Rhinos if they can conjure up some magic with the red ball, and will approach the contest with a head of steam with their most recent loss coming in round five.
In a top versus bottom clash, Cobram will surely hold its post when it travels to Tocumwal.
Winless during the 2019-20 campaign, the Bloods have struggled so far but will hope to take any positives from the bout against the champion side.
Meanwhile, heads in the Tigers camp will surely be fixated on using the clash as a dummy-run for March when finals cricket rolls through the valley.
Faced with the bye, Cobram-Yarroweyah will rest up for its final round encounter with Nathalia in a fortnight.
