All three matches could produce outright wins when matches in the Wairarapa Cricket Association's Bidwell Cup two-day competition continue tomorrow.
Rathkeale Cricket Academy and Red Star were well placed to achieve maximum points from their matches with Lansdowne and Rathkeale College respectively by stumps last Saturday while Greytown looked to be
heading the same way against Wairarapa College.
Academy had taken a 71-run first innings lead over Lansdowne with five wickets still to fall and with the in-form Chad Yates unbeaten on 77 they seem certain to spend at least the first hour of tomorrow's action consolidating that advantage. They dismissed Lansdowne for just 127 in their first innings and will probably be working on the theory that if they can increase their lead to around the 150 mark they are unlikely to have to bat a second time.
It will be appropriate should Yates himself go through to three figures as he has had an outstanding season with bat and ball, both on the club and representative scenes.
Red Star start tomorrow's play in similar shape to Academy. They managed a 89-run first innings lead over Rathkeale College and will be relying on the likes of Daniel Stoneley, Brad Edwards, Joe Hull and Jared Watt to score quickly enough in their second "dig" to ensure they have enough time to again take all 10 college wickets in a day's play.
Another key player for Red Star is likely to be spinner Aaron Wilson who demonstrated his all-round capabilities last weekend, top scoring with 39 and then taking four wickets.
Experienced batsman Wal Tatham will take centre stage when Greytown resume their first innings against Wairarapa College. Play will start with the southerners on 147-5, exactly the same score Wairarapa College made in their first innings. Tatham has already made a valuable 31 and Greytown will be largely depending on him for a handy first innings advantage. Get that and a somewhat depleted Wairarapa College side could struggle to avoid outright defeat.
While on the subject of the Bidwell Cup clubs should note that the date of the final has been changed. It will now be played at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval on February 23 and 24 with Hawke Cup rules applying.
