Pressure on Francis Douglas to secure spot

Three teams are guaranteed semifinal spots in Taranaki premier grade one-day cricket, with two teams today chasing the fourth spot.

Defending champion New Plymouth Old Boys and Woodleigh are assured of spots in the Yarrows playoffs, both on 26 points, with New Plymouth Marist United on 24.

Then things become interesting.

Francis Douglas Memorial College has the inside running on 18 points and a win today over Stratford at the school ground in New Plymouth will be enough to secure it a top-four spot.

However, if it trips up, the door is open for Inglewood on 14 points – provided it can beat Hawera United in Inglewood.

At the top of the ladder, it's all about booking a home semifinal.

Woodleigh should do that when it plays New Plymouth Boys' High School at Sutherland Park, while a much closer battle is expected at Lynmouth Park when New Plymouth Marist United takes on New Plymouth Old Boys.

With the representative players on duty against Hawke's Bay in Napier, it will be a test of depth for all teams.

Both Old Boys and Marist United have three players away with the rep side. The Old Boys players are Tim Weston, Travis Stewart and Jamie Watkins, while United is missing Ryan Fleming, Dean Robinson and Daniel Bolstad. Woodleigh will be without Hayden Whiting and Andrew Mason but should still have too much power in the batting department for Boys' High, with David Collingwood continuing on with his good form last Saturday scoring 85 against Inglewood.

The school side, buoyed by its first win of the season last Saturday, will fancy its chances of causing an upset, especially if John Dickson and Kane Rowson can strike form with the bat.

English import Nathan Hawkes hit a timely 102 not out to rescue Hawera United last Saturday and the South Taranaki side will need a repeat of that if it is to upset Inglewood. The home side will be without Taranaki allrounder Jason Dombroski.

Francis Douglas will be hoping the top-order can find form to set the platform for a big score against Stratford. It will be without opener Peter Ingram and pace bowler Mark Wales, with allrounder Scott Davidson missing for Stratford.

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