Loss of Rance may be costly

ALL ACTION: Stefan Hook Sporry is a key member of the Lansdowne attack. PHOTOS/FILE

Just how much will Greytown miss their gun all-rounder, Seth Rance, is the $64,000 question leading into their final match with Lansdowne in Wairarapa Cricket's Bidwill Cup competition at Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton this weekend.

Rance was a dominant figure with bat and ball in the last meeting, won by Greytown on the first innings. However he is on duty with the Central Stags and will take no part in this fixture.

That the southerners are weakened by the absence of Rance goes without saying but, fortunately, their stocks have been boosted by the return, at least for the first day's play, of two players who have been performing well for Rathkeale College through most of this season, all-rounder Steve Coleman and medium pace bowler Brian James.

Coleman is similar to Rance in the potential to be a match winner in the batting and bowling departments but the two are very different in styles. Coleman's batting is more conservative than the all-action approach of Rance while, as bowlers, Rance likes to let rip with the new ball and Coleman is a spinner who relies heavily on guile for his wickets.

As a unit there is little doubt Greytown look stronger in batting than they do in bowling. Most of their squad are capable of making an impact with the willow with Paul Lyttle, Robbie Speers, Jake Ross, Tim Lucas and Gordon Reisima leading the way.

It's a somewhat different story in bowling where paceman Tony Russo will shoulder a considerable burden.

He has been a prolific wicket-taker at club level and has the competitive temperament to respond well to this challenge.

Lansdowne also have more depth in batting than they do in bowling. They are especially well served at the top of the order with Jamie Holmes, Justin Herbert and Brock Price all having the ability to score heavily, and at a rapid rate.

Alex Treseder, James Adamson and Sanjay Patel are more than useful with the bat in hand too.

Like Greytown, Lansdowne will be placing huge faith in just one bowler to get among the wickets early in the piece. Stefan Hook-Sporry has had considerable success with the new ball on the club and representative scenes and, if there is any sign of bounce in the park oval pitch, he is quick enough to make the most of it.

The likely squads for this weekend are:

Greytown: Tim Lucas, Gordon Reisima, Jake Ross, Robbie Speers, Anthony Butterfield, Tony Russo, Luke Dingle, Cole Freeman, Steve Coleman, Brian James, Greg Dennes-Wilson, Regan Pope, Bryan Heggelin.

Lansdowne: Jamie Holmes, Justin Herbert, Brock Price, Stefan Hook-Sporry, Drew MacDonald, Jay MacDonald, Sanjay Patel, Hayden Barrett, Alex Treseder, James Adamson.

-Play will start at 10.30am on both days. Umpires are Johann Fourie and James Sprowson.