Whales eye elusive title

NSW Speedblitz Blues players will be a welcome boost to Sydney grade Cricket teams as Round 13 begins this Saturday. With just three remaining rounds, competition will be fierce, as team's battle for the right to feature in finals cricket. Sunday will feature semi finals of the one-day competition. Bankstown will host Eastern Suburbs at Bankstown Oval while Mosman take on Sydney University at Rawson Oval. Mosman have been involved in the last four one-day semi finals and will be keen to claim a title, which has so far eluded them. They take on a rejuvenated Student's outfit that welcomes back the experienced Greg Matthews for the encounter.

Mosman have consistently shown their ability in the one-day cricket format being involved in the past three semi finals. Whilst playing in the final two seasons ago, the Whale's are keen to end their title drought. Mosman believe their strength is in their experienced bowling attack, which features three former NSW pace bowlers in Warwick Adlam, Phil Alley and Trent Johnston. "We all seem to be bowling as quick as we did three years ago, but with more experienced heads now", Adlam said.

The 32 year old Adlam claimed his 500th first grade wicket in his teams recent clash with Sutherland and sits second only to Aaron Bird (59) with 48 wickets so far this season. Adlam further believes the Clubs latest acquisition in Nottingham's Guy Welton is a secret weapon. "Guy is a powerful hitter who has an uncanny resemblance to Ian Botham in physique, batting style and looks". The Whales will be hoping Welton (568 runs) can continue his form with his adopted club.

Bankstown will be looking to continue its current form in their semi final with Eastern Suburbs. Talented Bankstown speedsters Aaron Bird and Scott Thompson will target NSW Speedblitz Blues hard hitter Brad Haddin and former Blues batsman Mark Patterson in their clash. The encounter should be an enthralling one with two of the form teams in the competition.

In Round 11 matches; Fairfield-Liverpool v Campbelltown-Camden at Rosedale; Blacktown v UTS-Balmain at Joe McAleer; Hawkesbury v Randwick Petersham at Owen Earle; Manly-Warringah v Eastern Suburbs at Manly; Mosman v North Sydney at Rawson; Northern District v Bankstown at Waitara; Parramatta v Sydney University at Old Kings; St George v Gordon at Hurstville; Sutherland v Penrith at Caringbah and University of NSW v Western Suburbs at Village Green. . All Saturday games will commence at 11.00am, while Sunday's semi finals will commence at 10.00am