Students Out to ‘Pluck the Ducks’ in Final Round of Season

Can the Students “pluck the Ducks” and secure the Club Championship in the final round? Donning the whites for the last time before finals, Uni will be out to secure maximum points and gather some momentum as three of the four XI’s will be hoping to go deep into March and April

FIRST XI

Welcoming back Papa Dos and Isiah Borgas, the First XI return to the Uni Main for the last round of the year. Sitting with an eight-point buffer at the top of the ladder, Uni will be keen to secure top spot on the ladder with a strong showing in the final round. Playing his first match since becoming a father, Steve Reid will be champing at the bit to get amongst it, trading the dummy for a red kookaburra, a sight that will inevitably strike fear into the heart of the Swans.

Keep an eye on Pete Hatzoglou this week. Fresh from his best performance at the level last week, Thump the 2^nd will no doubt hit some front pads as he looks to dismantle another batting line-up. The young leggie has been particularly impressive, and it is great to see his confidence continue to grow (from an already high starting point).

Catch the First XI at the Uni Main across the next two weeks!

SECOND XI

With the return of spin twins, Ben Rolfs and James Bett, along with Mark Simpson to skipper the side, the Second XI will travel to Casey to take on the Swans in their last match before the finals begin. The scene of some dominant performances for the Second XI in recent times, the team will be out to secure second spot on the ladder with a strong showing.

The man to watch this weekend will be Harrison Emms. The blonde banker loves batting at Casey fields, and should he get in, will go big in what are often lovely batting conditions. Also look for Ben Rolfs to add to his run-out tally, catching a few swans napping with his dead-eye aim from backward point.

THIRD XI

After a disappointing showing last weekend, the Third XI will be desperate to avenge their loss with a strong performance before they gear up for yet another finals campaign. With Zanoni and Melican returning to the team to play at Princes Park, the Third XI is boosted with both the bat and ball.

Keep an eye on Angus Molden this weekend. The young quick who “has the biggest ass going around”[1] loves to quicken up batting line-ups. What’s more, after the sports scientists at training were giving him permission to bump blokes, ‘Gus will be full of confidence, and God help any Swans who have a big forward press…

FOURTH XI

Playing their last match of the season, the Fourth XI will be desperate to help the Club in their pursuit of the Club Championship this weekend, as they search for their third win of the season. With some added firepower in the form of Jayden Kennedy, Hugo Bienvenu and the coach, Antony Keely, the Fourth XI will travel to Casey Fields.

Raf Epstein is definitely the player to watch this week, as the ‘Conversation Hour’- who brought up his 1000^th Premier run last week- looks to go big one last time in season 2019/20. The young “Smudge” will combine his unorthodox leaves with powerful shots of the front and back foot, and look to punish any loose bowling from the Swans.

[1] Mark Stafford