Kinross have only made on appearance so far this summer but such is the cut-throat nature of Orange District Cricket Association's Royal Hotel Cup, the students are now in an all-but do-or-die situation.
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A first-up hammering at Bathurst City's hands leaves Kinross on the verge of being knocked out of the race to the top four and a second straight defeat to Lithgow on Friday night would, but for a miracle, leave the students' semi-final dream in tatters.
It's not entirely uncommon to see teams qualify for the finals with two preliminary losses, but since the competition changed to the Twenty20 format just once has a side managed that after suffering those losses in their first two games.
Granted that was Centennials Bulls and it was just last summer, but while it may offer Kinross some solace should they be bested by the Lightning on Friday night it would take a remarkable turnaround considering their final two preliminary opponents.
A loss on Friday night would leave Kinross needing to upset the reigning champions in St Pat's Old Boys and another powerhouse in Cavaliers, although that would give them a sniff they'd still be relying on other results falling in their favour.
Lithgow, on the other hand, will be kicking their 2019-20 campaign on Friday night, in which they'll be looking to bounce back from a disappointing title tilt last season.
The Lightning returned to the competition in 2016-17 and promptly chased their way to the title and they made the top four the season after too, but a rain-plagued preliminary campaign last summer left them sidelined in the clutch.
Friday night's clash, the fourth of this summer's tournament, begins at 6.30pm. In the other completed games so far Orange City took care of the Bulls comfortably and CYMS upset St Pat's Old Boys.
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