Woodleigh faces uphill battle

This week sees the half-way point of the one-day competition with some teams desperate for a win or their chances of making the semifinals are all but over.
In the match of the round, the unbeaten New Plymouth Marist United side will take on the winless lads from Woodleigh at Sutherland Park.
NPMU has defeated NPBHS and Hawera so far this season and sits second on the table behind Inglewood.  NPMU will be back to full strength this week as they welcome back their rep players.  NPMU will look to openers Dean Robinson and Ryan Fleming to set the platform for their hard-hitting middle order to do what they do best.  In the bowling ranks, Ryan Watson will take the new ball along with Shay Smith unless they spring the surprise and have the dangerous Daniel Bernet take the new ball with his left-arm spin.  NPMU will be missing Leith Johnston (hamstring) and Jarred Cunningham. Wham Bam Cunningham is fighting in the Taranaki Explosion Fight Night and we wish him all the best.
Woodleigh, which is in desperate need of some points missed its rep players Phil Barraclough and Shaun Sullivan last week when the team was bundled out for just 87 by NPOB.  Their return will strengthen the side, but it may not be enough to challenge the hot form of NPMU and if Woodleigh fails to earn points this week a semi-final spot could be beyond them.
In the other matches top-of-the-table Inglewood takes on the third-placed NPBHS, NPOB will look cement its spot in the top four as it hosts FDMC with the final match being the battle of the South with Hawera hosting Stratford.