MEREWETHER have missed the Newcastle District Cricket Association first-grade finals only once in the past decade, and skipper Simon Moore has no desire to reacquaint himself with that empty feeling.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I guess given the success we've had over the years, you don't accept mediocrity and you don't take losing real well," Moore said.
"Playing in those finals games is what it's all about, and it's a big driver during the season to give yourself a chance of doing that."
Moore's Lions find themselves in the unusual position of being outside the top four, looking in, with four two-day games to play, starting with Stockton at Lynn Oval on Saturday.
In last Saturday's rain-affected round, their two-wicket loss to Wallsend, combined with University's win against Belmont, allowed the Students to leapfrog Merewether on percentages.
Wests lead the ladder with 42 points, ahead of Wallsend (39) and Hamilton-Wickham (37), and then Uni, Merewether and Charlestown on 35. Cardiff-Boolaroo and Belmont, both on 31, appear the only other finals contenders.
"The ladder is so congested, the loss to Wallsend obviously cost us," Moore said.
"But if we play good cricket for the rest of the year, I think we'll be in the semis. If we don't, we won't deserve to be, so it's all in our hands really."
Merewether's remaining games, against Stockton, Cardiff, Charlestown and Waratah, all appear winnable.
But Moore said Merewether had a healthy respect for Stockton, who have improved after a testing 2018-19 campaign.
"They were in a bit of trouble with numbers last year and it affected them from first grade down," Moore said.
"But this year they've bounced back and it's good to see. We'll have to play well to beat them, for sure."
In the other round-10 games starting on Saturday, Wallsend will be chasing their fourth successive victory when they host Charlestown at Wallsend Oval.
Belmont will be fighting for survival when they take on Hamwicks at Passmore Oval, knowing that a loss could leave them two wins adrift of the top four, with three games to play.
Wests and Uni will be looking to consolidate their positions when they host Waratah and Toronto respectively, while Cardiff face Newcastle City at Pasterfield Sports Complex.
Meanwhile, NSW Country representatives Adrian Chad and Jed Dickson will be hoping to lead Lake Mac Attack into the final of the Regional Bash at the SCG on Saturday.
The Attack face Coffs Coast Chargers in the semi-final at 10am. Central West Wranglers play ACT Aces in the other semi.
