The battle for the top of the Inverell Cricket Association ladder is heating up, with just three games left in the season.
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Teams will be keen to make their mark after most of last weekend's games were washed out. Playing on a synthetic wicket, Delungra were able to return to the field to win against RSM, securing their place near the top of the ladder, just under the Campbell and Freebairn Rebels.
The final representative match of the season was also cancelled due to the wet weather, giving Gunnedah the right to host the War Veterans Cup final.
"We were a bit disappointed we couldn’t have a run," Cricket Association secretary Simon Smith said.
He said Saturday's games will depend on the impacts of the bushfire which has been threatening homes in Tingha and Gilgai this week; but hoped they would go ahead.
"What they might need is to get out on the cricket field just to have something different, rather than all the problems that have been going on all week," he said.
"It’s still problematic with the way the fires are, whether teams will have access to their players."
If the games go ahead, young team the Invincibles will face a tough challenge as they take on the more experienced Delungra players in Cameron Park. The Campbell and Freebairn Rebels have a strong reputation to live up to as they face Tingha at Varley Oval, with only one loss to their name this season. Square and Compass and Warriors will battle it out in Campbell Park for a higher place on the ladder.
Campbell and Freebairn have been relying on steady hands, with experienced players Jack Cole, Jarrod Uebergang, Tony Blake and Nathan Marsh keeping their results consistent. Brendon Campbell has had a memorable season, proving very difficult to dislodge when opening the batting.
Meanwhile Delungra has built their success around the two leading run scorers Brad Thomas, and John Krauss - who recently beat a 64-year-old record with an impressive 300 not out.
Despite struggles keeping up their numbers, Smith said Staggy Creek was also a threat, with a strong batting line up and steady bowlers.
"If they’re in the mix in terms of the A grade semis, they will certainly be a difficult team to beat and very difficult for anyone else below them to beat, because they have a very strong batting side," he said.