Blu-Js are out to repeat their impressive batting effort when the take on Saints in the last round of Wagga softball for the year.
On the last occasion they met, the Blues had the game won after the first innings, when, after shutting out the Saints, they batted in an amazing eleven runs.
While Blu-Js have continued to bat consistently well, the Saints defence has improved markedly.
Indeed, Turvey had to do something special in the field last round to prevent the Saints from having another win.
Pitchers, Tessa McGlynn and Sarah Wardley conceded less than a handful of hits, and the Saints will be hoping they can do the job again this Saturday.
Danger players in offence for the Blu-Js are Libby Schofield, Julie-Ann Hallam and Jayla Nix, all three of whom are in the top ten of the batting averages chart of the league.
Moreover, Stacey Morgan and Michelle Blake are batting above .400 and Jasmine Williams is always capable of belting the ball into the outfield.
McGlynn and Wardley will certainly have their work cut out to limit the run-scoring potential of Blu-Js.
Morgan Pearce and veteran Alison Burgess are the only Saints players to bat over .400, but the McGlynn sisters, Gemma and Tessa, are renowned home run hitters.
With top spot on the points table up for grabs the Blues will go all out for a win.
In the other fixture on Saturday, South Wagga Warriors will look to have a big win over Lake Albert.
While it was yet another mercy-rule finish for the Lake team, they showed glimpses of improvement and will surely have set themselves the goal of a better performance than last time against the Warriors.
On that occasion the margin was ten runs; anything less than that will be a desired improvement.
Should starting nine players, Jessica Swaysland and Sophie Hawkins be available again and talented players such as Shae McMahon, Alicia McLean, Sarah Rose, Jess Grant and Melinda Lill play to their potential, Lake will be headed in the right direction.
However, the assignment won’t be an easy one up against the reigning premiers who are being given good service by veterans, Jane Kearnes, Nicole Marlow, Louise Matheson, and Ronni Scott, while Sam Vidler, Tamika Raufers and Sam Gilmour have added even more strength to the powerful offence of the Warriors.
Saturday will be the last round of softball matches before the six-week school holiday break with the competition to resume on January 30.
This Saturday will see the C1 and C2 grades begin with the top five C grade teams to play in C1 and the bottom four in C2.
