WITH three rounds remaining in the Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) A grade 2023-24 competition, there are seven teams with a realistic chance of reaching the finals, but for some of these teams, results in other games must go their way to reach the top four.

Tyrendarra 90.09pts (prediction - first)

Tyrendarra has carried all before it in its debut season in the HDCA, having only lost on DLS to St Andrew’s, and with games against St Andrew’s (A), South Portland (H) and Grampians (H) to come, there is no reason the team won’t hold the current ladder position.

Gorae-Portland 69.45pts (prediction - fifth)

GORAE-PORTLAND has performed exceptionally well in its first season and with games against Casterton District (A), St Andrew’s (H) and College (A) they must win all three to secure a finals place.

St Andrews 65.14pts (prediction - second)

THE Drews have surprised all teams this summer with the current high standing on the ladder, but games against Tyrendarra (H), Gorae-Portland (A) and Portland Colts (H) will test the side, but victory in these last two should see the side finish top two.

Casterton District 61.55pts (prediction - third)

OF all the teams that may reach the top four, the Maroons have the easiest draw with Gorae-Portland (H), Hamilton (H) and Pigeon Ponds (H) all winnable matches, which should ensure the side plays finals.

College 60.20pts (prediction - fourth)

REIGNING premier and winner of the past two Dundas Cups, College has a tough road to the finals with Grampians (A), Macarthur (A) and Gorae-Portland (H) ready to put a spanner in the Eagles’ plans and stop a possible three-peat.

Portland Colts 57.92pts (prediction - sixth)

ALONG with Tyrendarra, Colts was expected to be at the pointy end of the ladder come the last few rounds before the 2023-24 season began, but Macarthur (H), Grampians (H) and St Andrew’s (A) await the side over the next three rounds and the Portland-based will have to be at its very best to win these games.

Macarthur 52.14pts (prediction - seventh)

WITH a loss to Grampians in the last round, the Demons have only an outside chance of reaching the top four and will need other results to go their way to play finals as they battle Portland Colts (A), College (H) and South Portland (A).

Grampians (49.65) and Pigeon Ponds (46.22) appear to be just out of reach of a finals spot, while South Portland (32.57), Portland Tigers (25.63) and Hamilton (19.60) are turning their sights to next summer.