BDCA 2023: Plenty at stake for all as teams face anxious Saturday afternoon

The stage is set for a thrilling final day of first grade action across the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association on Saturday. As it stands, only league leaders Leschenault and Colts are locked in to play finals this season — and they enter their matches against Eaton and Dalyellup respectively with minimal stress. It is a different story for Eaton, Donnybrook and Marist however, who all could either make or miss the top-four depending on how results play out. At the Eaton Sports Ground, Leschenault will be eying off an undefeated home and away campaign against the Bobtails, who despite being level on points with the fourth-placed Dons, sit third due to percentage and fewer wickets lost. Ahead of the clash, Bobtails stalwart Clayton Caltsounis said his teammates were in good hands with Liam Renton as skipper, and that the players would be only worried about the game they were involved in throughout the afternoon. Fittingly while this game is going on, the Dons and Blues will square off at Egan Park. To be guaranteed a spot in the finals, Marist need a bonus point win over the hosts. They may also be without inspirational all-rounder Brayden Clarke due to work commitments, which would be a massive blow. Should the Blues secure a regulation win and Bobtails lose heavily against Leschenault, all three sides would be locked on 35 points — meaning third and fourth spot would come down to a range of factors, including percentage. Elsewhere, Colts will tune up for another finals assault when they entertain Dalyellup at the Bunbury Recreation Ground. A team full of impressive young talent, Dalyellup played their best game of the season during last Saturday’s thrilling one-run loss against Eaton at home. Despite falling short in a game they were good enough to win, the squad will likely take heart from their effort and be keen to end the season on a high. In the remaining game of the round, Hay Park play Collie at home, with both sides having been out of the finals race for more than a month. On Sunday, reigning women’s premier Marist face off against Colts in the preliminary final at the Bunbury Recreation Ground, with the winner facing Donnybrook a week later at Egan Park.