TAREE West face the dire prospect of being out of contention for a final berth before Christmas if they don't start winning games in the Manning first grade cricket competition soon..
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That's the observation of first year captain Gary Pomplun.
Taree West sit on six points, 12 shy of Wingham, United and Old Bar on the ladder.
Manning Cricket's general committee last week confirmed this season's first grade semi-final series would be restricted to three teams as there are only four sides in first grade. The minor premier will go straight through to the grand final with the second and third placed teams battling for the other spot. The team that finishes fourth will be watching from the sideline and at the moment that looks like being Taree West.
Pomplun agrees that his side is desperate for a win in tomorrow's clash against Old Bar. This is the last of the one day games in the Johnny Martin Cup competition.
"We just need a few things to go our way,'' Pomplun said.
"But it has been difficult.''
Taree West will be without Jayden Burgess and Nathan Fuller for Saturday's game against Old Bar at Old Bar. Both are unavailable.
Pomplun will give opening bowler Brian Levi until tomorrow morning to prove his fitness. Levi has been troubled by a shoulder injury.
He added that the West need more consistency from their batsmen.
"We need more players to stand up,'' he said.
A win would also be good for morale with two day fixtures to start soon, he said.
However, he said tomorrow's game will be a major test.
"Old Bar needs to win - a couple of weeks ago they looked guaranteed to get a place in the final, now they have to win to make sure,'' he said.
"It's going to be tough.''
In the other match tomorrow Wingham is at home to United.
