Taylors Lakes is taking a standing eight count in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west first XI.
The Lions will need a miracle to reach the finals in their first sub-district season after a near knock-out blow was delivered by a 34-run loss to Box Hill in the penultimate round at the Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
The task in front of Taylors Lakes could not get any tougher.
The Lions not only have to beat third-placed Altona, but they also need Box Hill, Melton and Croydon to lose in the final round – a highly improbable combination.
Taylors Lakes had chances against Box Hill, but could not seal the deal.
Twice the Lions were in commanding positions, only to let them slip.
After having Box Hill 8-171, the Lions allowed the tailenders to blow the score out to a much tougher 245.
Taylors Lakes could only muster 211, despite recovering from a slow start to be 7-201.
The Lions lost 3-10 and their finals hopes had all but evaporated.
In the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division, out-of-sorts Keilor is dangerously close to a fourth straight loss – not the kind of form you want to take into a finals campaign.
The Blues were bowled out for just 105 by Tullamarine, which is looking strong at 1-24.
In north-west division, St Albans is on the back foot in its do-or-die clash with Sunshine United. The Saints made 144, but made a late comeback late in the day to have United in trouble at 3-22.
Keilor Park is looking to finish a difficult summer on a high note.
George Burrows took 5-40 to have Footscray United all out for 151. The Devils were 1-8 at stumps.
In north-west B1, Deer Park, sitting on the edge of the top four, was bowled out for 60 against Royal Park-Brunswick, which secured first-inning points and a 114-run lead.
