The Phantoms head into the second day of the two-day game in a dominant position having finished the day on 5-121 after rolling the Stags for 69. 

Phantoms pair Brian Quinn and Matt Dedini started the batting off well, with Quinn smacking 56 runs off 40 balls. 

While Quinn was eventually removed, Phantoms captain Simon Wallace praised his efforts. 

“Quinny’s innings really helped to set us up,” Wallace said. 

“He really got us off to a good start.

“We’re hoping to build on that and get some more runs on the board before going back in to bowl again.”

The Phantoms finished the first day with the unfortunate dismissal of Ryan Thurgood (4) and now have Tim Rolls (14no) and Richard Keith at the crease. 

“Hopefully those guys will be able to get a few more runs so we can have a decent total to defend when we go back into the field,” Wallace said. 

“(Keith) had a really good day with the ball last week, so hopefully he’ll step up with the bat as well and get us kicking along.”

The Phantoms will be hunting for outright points on Saturday in a bid to cement their position in the top four. 

“Obviously we knew coming into this game that we needed to play well and probably get the outright win if we were to make the finals,” Wallace said. 

“I think mathematically we can’t drop out now, so hopefully we can dig in and get the outright win. 

“We haven’t really spoken about finals, but I’m sure everyone is thinking about it.”

Wallace said there would need to be an all-round team performance on Saturday.

“Obviously we’ll be looking to Hoppy (Adam Hopkins) to bowl well, as well as Richard,” he said. 

“Hopefully everyone can give it their best.”

In the other A grade matches, L&D CC has a chance to jump into second place on the ladder pending the results of the other games on Saturday. 

The Ferrets will be hoping to roll ladder-leaders Narrandera on the back of veteran bowler Adrian Axtill taking nine wickets last weekend. 

In the final match the Colts will attempt to chase down Yanco Hotel’s first innings score before putting on a sizable total for the Stags to chase down. 

The LDCA finals series will kick off next week across all grades.

Draw

Saturday

A grade

YCCC v LSCC (MTO)

PHCC v YHCC (YSG)

NCCC v L&D CC (NPO)

B grade

YCCC v LSCC (MCA)

NCCC v YHCC (NHS)

Bye: PHCC

C grade

YCCC v NCCC (LHS No. 2)

PHCC (designated levae weekend YAHS) v YHCC (LHS No. 1)