Naps-Sebas has occupied a top four position for a number of weeks now having won its past five matches. But its final two matches are against the top two sides in Mt Clear and Wendouree and it has a finals-hungry Golden Point and East Ballarat biting at its heels.

However, captain Matthew Ringin said the side not only wants to secure victory this weekend against the Mounties to ensure a finals berth. But to also hit finals in top form and continue its winning streak, which could see it land top spot come season’s end.

Ringin said the team would be treating the next two matches like finals given the calibre of the opponents.

“We’ve got the last two games where if we win one of the next two we’re all-but guaranteed a spot in finals, so the next two games for us are like finals – we need to win,” Ringin said.

“If we win our next two games and some results go our way we could finish top. Our destiny is in our own hands which is good.

“The fact that we’ve got the top two teams coming into the last two rounds, it’s a good thing because if you win those two games and come into finals it gives you a lot of confidence.”

Last time the two sides met was in round six where Naps-Sebas prevailed by 52 runs as the Mounties could only muster 104 runs in what was a mid-season slump for the current ladder leader.

Napoleons-Sebastopol may have won five matches in a row, but the Mt Clear victory is the only one over a top four side, with the other four victories coming against the bottom three sides.

Its form is undeniable and confidence levels are high, but the jury is still out on how it fares against the BCA first grade’s best.

Ringin acknowledged a lot has changed since the sides last played, but he highlighted Mt Clear’s batting as its strength and felt it would have to bring its best bowling performance in order to quell the Mounties batting line-up.

“I think their batting is their strength and our bowling is our strength, so we’re pinning our strengths against theirs.

“But the area where we have a bit of an advantage is we’re a bit younger and a bit more mobile in the field and probably got a bit more depth as well.”

Ringin was pleased to see the club return to its successful form, something he has become accustom to over the years as Naps-Sebas embarks on a finals campaign.

“Over the last decade, we’ve been quite a successful club then last year we had a disappointing year. So to get back to our traditionally strong ways is good.”