The Raptors top the single A league and stand on the brink of clinching a playoff spot thanks to another big win today. Sadly, having not been there, I cannot report on the game itsself, though the 24-6 drubbing of the contenders for Pool B’s lead is certainly another impressive head to add to recent victories over the Blackjacks and the Marauders. So, with Pool A rivals, the Coyotes, coming to Grovehill next week, just what are Raptors’ chances of making the post season?
To win Pool A and get a first round buy, a win against the Coyotes next week would put the Raptors 2.5 games clear with only 3 remaining after that, so again either 1 win or a Coyotes loss would furthermore seal Pool victory. A loss would put the Raptors only 0.5 games ahead with 3 remaining and head to head results means the Raptors would have to win as many as the Coyotes do or slip behind them.
If that did happen and the Raptors didn’t top the pool, then they would have to go for a wildcard place. The Coyotes replace them at the top of Pool A and would be out of wildcard equations. The Blackjacks and Marauders who top their Groups would also be irrelevant (all coloured blue in tablefor demonstrative purposes).
With that in mind, the table is currently as follows:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Games back | |
| Raptors | 8 | 2 | 0 | |
| Marauders | 6 | 2 | 1 | |
| Mavericks | 5 | 3 | 1 | |
| Coyotes | 6 | 3 | 1.5 | |
| Blackjacks | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Archers | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | |
| Redbacks | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | |
| Tonbridge | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | |
| Eagles | 3 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| 2Sox | 2 | 5 | 4.5 | |
| Old Timers | 3 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| Dukes | 3 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| Key | Divisional leaders if Raptors fail to secure Pool pennant | |||
| Unable to surpass Raptors |
The Eagles, 2Sox, Old Timers and Dukes do not have a mathematical chance of overtaking the Raptors now as they are 4.5 games back with 4 games remaining. (coloured grey on chart).
This leaves only the Mavericks, Archers, Redbacks and Tonbridge to go for the remaining three wildcard spots. Currently the Mavericks are only a game back, so even if they finish ahead of the Raptors there are two places left for wildcards.
The Archers, Redbacks and Tonbridge are all 3.5 games back, meaning 1 more win for the Raptors would put all three out of contention of overtaking the Raptors. A loss by any one of those teams would also put that team out.
Thats basically it. One more win and the Raptors are through to the post season as a wildcard or better. Failing that, one slipup by any two of those three teams and they are through as well.
The remaining games are:
Coyotes (6-3) @ Raptors
Raptors @ Mavericks (5-3)
Raptors @ Dukes (3-6)
Raptors @ Tonbridge (4-5)