Youth Club will be hoping forecast rain can hold off for a few hours on Saturday afternoon to allow them a chance to chase down Buangor’s total.
The Clubbers bowled Buangor out for just 102 on a difficult turf pitch at Beaufort.
They faced 29 overs in the reply innings on the first day, cutting the lead down to just 48 but lost four wickets in the process.
Co-captain Koby Stewart and Bailey Taylor will resume their innings’ on four and 13 not out respectively.
Youth Club co-captain Cam Kimber said the match is tightly balanced but he believes his side can get across the line.
We always have the mindset of trying to win the game first and foremost. I’m pretty confident with our batting depth we can chase down the tricky total
- Cam Kimber
“It could really go either way,” he said.
“I’m pretty confident with our batting depth we can chase down the tricky total.
“We worked on a few things at training to practice against the way they will probably bowl to us.”
Heavy rain is forecast for the weekend, making the outcome of the game unpredictable.
Kimber said if his side gets a chance to bat and knows rain is coming they will do their best to get the win.
“We always have the mindset of trying to win the game first and foremost,” he said.
“The way we play will depend on the conditions.
“We will try not to change too much up but if we are forced to with the weather then that is just what we might have to do.”
The Beaufort pitch made things difficult for two strong batting teams last Saturday, with 14 wickets falling for just 156 runs for the day.
Kimber said he expects the pitch to play similarly to last weekend.
“It has been warm this week but a lot of rain is expected so the pitch probably won’t be able to be worked on,” he said.
“Time will tell what the weather will do to it. I would assume it wouldn’t be too dissimilar as to last weekend.”
A win will be critical for the Clubbers’ finals hopes with Youth Club one of four teams within six points who are chasing down ladder leaders Swifts-Great Western who sit a game clear after already receiving maximum points this round with an outright win against Halls Gap.
If Buangor can hold on and share the points, it might be just what the team needs to start building some momentum and make a run for a top four spot.
The team sits in fifth spot, two points clear but a win against one of the top teams will no doubt give them confidence it’s best cricket can match it with the best.
Callum Baker already has two wickets to his name and will be one of the players Buangor captain Chris Jerram turns to in the hopes of getting the remaining six wickets.
With the weather forecast set, if the rain holds off, the overcast conditions should help the bowlers.
