Valleys find opportunity in Lachlan finals scrap
While the Cowra Valleys now find themselves in a mid-table scrap to secure third spot against cross-town rivals the Bowling Club, it is worth remembering that only a few weeks ago, the side was pushing to feature among the top two teams in the competition.
In part due to a difficult draw and unpredictable weather, the Valleys have floundered over the last seven weeks, losing all of the matches that have started.
The only time they've taken points throughout the period have been washouts.
Skipper Greg Garlick and Jacob McNaught have fallen into a little bit of scratchiness at the top of the order, while Zach Starr hasn't been able to carry forward with the valuable form he showed earlier in the year.
However, while the Valleys may yet rue their mid-season dip in form, Garlick's charges have a valuable opportunity to take bonus points against a winless Canowindra side that may be missing their two best batsmen.
Opener Peter Guthrie was out injured from last week's grade and representative sides, while Brendan Traves' work schedule have left him with limited availability throughout the 2018-19 season, and after pulling double duties last weekend for Cowra and Canowindra it is unlikely he will line up.
However, while bonus points are on the line for the travelling side, they'd do well to observe that while Canowindra are winless, if those players to get up and play, the team quickly becomes more formidable.
Traves and Guthrie put on a 90-plus run partnership in an early season clash against league leaders the Royal Colts, and with players like Zac Brunton and skipper Nick Traves capable of batting for time while their stars take the risks, the Valleys would do well to write Canowindra off at their own peril.
On the positive side for the Valleys though, with players like Sam McNaught and Darcy Callaghan finding form and showing fight respectively throughout the recent losses there is still plenty of time to put it together.
Additionally, as long as representative players the quality of Scott Wilson and Ben Houghton are in the side, in addition to the class of players like Garlick and Jacob McNaught, it is difficult to write the Valleys off despite their form line.
Saturday's match is scheduled to start at 1.30 pm at Tom Clyburn Oval.