Tight race for men’s playoffs spots

The race for the top four in the Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade competition will begin tonight, with five points separating second to sixth in the standings as the second half of the season gets under way.

Both the men’s and women’s A-grade competitions resume from their mid-season break but the tight battle in the men’s top grade is likely to continue.

Last season’s grand finalists Barking Owls sit outside the top four, currently in fifth with six regular rounds to play.

The second placed Railways Tigers, in their first A-grade season, are also no locks to play finals given how tight the ladder is.

They are only five points ahead of the sixth placed Raiders under-18 development squad.

Round 11 tonight will be headlined by a clash between the Railways and the third placed Tigers.

In their only meeting so far this season, Tigers were comfortable 38-21 winners.

Railways won their last three games heading into the mid-season break and face a defining fortnight with games against Tigers and Ambassadors.

The ladder leading Knights, shooting for a third straight title, can guarantee a finals berth with a win over Owls tonight at 7pm.

Blazers slim finals hopes will go on the line in their 8pm fixture against Raiders.

Kinjarling Storm and Panthers are both locks in the top four of the women’s A-grade competition, leaving three teams to fight it out for the last two finals spots.

Valkyries are currently third on the ladder and face Storm tonight while Crystal Blues and Raiders face off at 7pm with the winner moving a step closer to securing a top four finish.