Saturday’s washouts set up blockbuster NDCA first grade round 13 games

Narrabri District Cricket Association’s round 12 matches for both the first and second grade 2020-21 one day seasons were washed out and declared draws on Saturday.

Rain began to fall in Narrabri on Saturday morning, but the teams still arrived at their respective grounds expecting to play.

However, at about 12.30pm, when first grade matches were scheduled to start, the rain got heavier and matches were called off by 12.45pm.

In first grade, RSL was scheduled to take on Tatts at Collins Park, while the Western Razorbacks and Civeo were to meet at Leitch Oval.

All four of those sides received four points each as a result of the washouts.

That has set up two blockbuster matches for this Saturday.

In round 13, RSL and Civeo will go head-to-head at Collins Park in a battle for outright first position on the ladder.

Those two sides are first and second respectively and both have 60 points each, so the victorious round 13 team will move a win clear of the other with two rounds remaining.

In the other first grade match, the Western Razorbacks will challenge Tatts at Leitch Oval.

Those two sides have met in the past two grand finals, however, this weekend the Razorbacks can eliminate the defending champions from the 2020-21 finals picture.

Tatts is currently fourth with 30 points, two wins behind the third-placed Razorbacks (42 points), so if the Wee Waa-based side wins in round 13, it would be mathematically impossible for Tatts to finish third.

If Tatts does win, it would be one win behind the Razorbacks with two rounds left to play.

Meanwhile, the round 12 washouts saw RSL wrap up top spot on the second grade ladder.

RSL was scheduled to play against Civeo on Saturday, while Tourist Hotel and the Razorbacks were set to meet.

All four of those sides received four points, while Tatts received seven points for the bye.

RSL (72 points) is three wins clear of both Civeo and Razorbacks (54 points each) with three rounds left to play, however, it has a bye in round 15 which means it cannot be caught and therefore become the first team to qualify for the 2020-21 grand final.

The Razorbacks also have a bye in their last three games and are one win ahead of fourth and fifth-placed sides Tatts and Tourist Hotel (both 48 points).

The Wee Waa-based side has a home game on Saturday when it welcomes RSL to Dangar Park.

If the Razorbacks win that match, they would almost certainly have secured a top three position and a spot in the preliminary final.