Settlers face tough gig to stake claim

The fight for the fourth and final spot in the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association finals is heating up.

Marist, Colts and Eaton are set inside the top four and will play finals this season, while Dalyellup Beach and Leschenault will fight it out for the remaining spot.

Hay Park are still a mathematical chance, but after a 10-wicket loss at the weekend they need two double-bonus point victories as well as other results to go their way if they are to play in the post-season series.

Leschenault have the bye and will have to wait until next weekend to push for their spot, with games against Marist and Collie to decide their fate.

Dalyellup Beach face a tough task against an in-form Colts outfit, who have taken Eaton’s place in second on the ladder after three-consecutive wins, including victories over Marist, Collie and Hay Park.

The Settlers should head into Saturday’s one-day clash with confidence, having beaten Colts by 80 runs in December.

Captain Paul Jones (61) and Steve Denison (85) were excellent for Dalyellup who reached 6-267 from their 50 overs before Nathan Greenmount took three wickets as Colts were dismissed for just 187.

Hay Park begin their against-the-odds campaign against ladder-leaders Marist, who are fresh off a much-needed bye.

Wicketkeeper Adam Spinelli and seamer Alan Utterson are both set to return for the Blues after missing the nine-wicket loss to Colts almost a fortnight ago.

Marist easily defeated Hay Park last time they met, winning by six wickets after Sam Roots took three wickets to bowl Colts out for just 103.

The third game of the weekend will pit cellar dwellers Collie against the reigning champions in Eaton at Roche Park.

The two teams have not met since December when Eaton claimed a five-wicket win thanks to all-rounder James Hillery, who took six wickets.