Garstang CC know what they have to do to reach NPCL 40 Over Cup knockout stage
The NPCL 40 Over Cup title holders know what they must do to reach the last eight.
Michael Walling is happy Garstang CC’s fate is in their own hands as they look to secure their place in the Northern Premier Cricket League’s 40 Over Cup knockout stage tomorrow.
The final round of group stage games sees the defending champions welcome Netherfield to the Riverside (12.30pm), knowing a win will ensure a top-eight finish.
Three wins and an abandonment from the first five games leaves them in sixth position with 10 points, one ahead of Blackpool, Fleetwood, Kendal and Carnforth.
Blackpool visit Kendal, Fleetwood host fifth-placed Euxton and Carnforth are at third-bottom Penwortham, while Garstang meet a Netherfield team in second position.
As well as ensuring qualification, Garstang also have a point to prove against Netherfield.
They lost the clubs’ league meeting in Cumbria by 138 runs in early May before an eight-wicket T20 defeat on home soil last weekend.
Walling said: “We know Netherfield are a strong side, they have a good batting unit backed up by a solid bowling line-up.
“However, we’re at home, we’re the holders and we have to do our job: we have to get runs on the board or restrict them if they bat first, so it should be a really good game.
“We have been a little bit unlucky in that we were rained off at Carlisle (in April), when everyone else played, and then we were beaten by Carnforth from the division below.
“Saturday is a game, though, where we know what we have to do, it’s quite simple.”
The group stage ends the way it starts, with matches on two consecutive Saturdays either side of games on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25, and Sunday, June 14.
It is a schedule which Walling believes has its benefits in terms of getting players up to speed.
“The first two weeks worked well,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a gentle introduction into the season if the weather’s not been great, the pro’s not arrived or you haven’t been able to play friendlies.
“If you lose your first two league games, then you’re catching up, but I think it’s worked quite well.
“Two games in the middle might seem strange but it’s a nice break and you’ve got to fit it in at some point.”