Ben Knaggs feels CYMS has what it takes to make this season’s RSL-Whitney Cup finals but he knows victory on Saturday will be crucial to making that happen.
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CYMS will resume its match with Rugby with the opposition 2/31 in reply to the Cougars’ total of 215.
Knaggs took one of the two big wickets late on day one, picking up the huge scalp of Jordan Moran, while Ben Wheeler was run out.
“If we win it gives us a big chance of making finals,” Knaggs said, before saying making ground on the top three is something his side can do in the final games.
“We’re all in high spirits and as a club everyone has got behind the first grade boys and we’re hoping to do it.
“It’s been quite awhile so it would be nice to make an appearance in the final and it would be good for the club.”
Pat Berryman (15 not out) and Chris Russo (6 not) out will resume the chase at No. 3 Oval, with another 185 runs needed for victory.
Knaggs pointed to the two at the crease, and Rugby captain Nathan Munro, as the biggest obstacles in his side’s way.
“I think it’s pretty even at this stage. We have still got to bowl really well,” he said.
“Pat Berryman and Chris Russo are in and they’re very good bats.
“They will be strong, they’re pretty strong all the way down. Pat, Chris and Nathan Munro will try and bat most of the innings and get them as close as they can.
“We’ve just got to bowl well and patient. Chris, Pat and the boys like to score runs so we need to be patient and bowl good line and length because the wickets will come.”
With no Ben Strachan, who played on day one, featuring on Saturday it will be up to Knaggs to lead the attack.
The 17-year-old said he is “excited” by that opportunity, while fellow teenage bowlers James ‘Busta’ Nelson, Sam Knaggs and Brock Larance will also feature heavily.
Yogi Chawla is another spin option, alongside Larance, while captain Ryan Medley may be tempted to use his own leg-spin bowling.
While Knaggs pointed to Berryman, Russo and Munro as key, James O’Brien shapes as another leading hope for Rugby.
The all-rounder was arguably his side’s best bowler on day one, despite taking just the one wicket, as his 11 overs only went for 11 runs.
He is also coming off a century against Newtown last round and his ability to score quickly could swing the match quickly in Rugby’s favour.
Zac Murphy and Baye Wallace are other batsman of note, with Rugby missing the services of Aidan Bennewith and the hard-hitting Jacob Bruce this round.
A win for either side would keep them in touch with the top three while a loss may well signal the end of finals hopes for 2016/17.
Plays resumes at 1pm.