That is what faces the Pointees in the final round of the Ballarat Cricket Association Firsts this weekend when they match up against North Ballarat in a battle of fifth versus sixth on the ladder.

While opponents North Ballarat received a stroke of luck earlier in the week when an appeal into the points allocation from its round 7 game gave it an extra three points, guaranteeing its finals participation, it left Golden Point on the outer, sitting three points behind in sixth position.

It also means Golden Point is just three points ahead of Ballarat-Redan, who themselves picked up three points from the round 7 encounter.

For Golden Point skipper Andrew Warrick, who missed last weeks big win over Mount Clear with a family commitment, it's a case of do what you have to do this week and don't worry about others.

"Destiny is in our own hands, it's pretty much a a good way to be. We're pretty upbeat, everyone pretty excited across all the club, we've got a few teams in contention."

Warrick said he was pleased with how the Firsts had been able to turn the season around, after a "scratchy start".

"We've been more improved since the break, we've dropped the odd game or two here and there, but having played one-day cricket all year, we know that can happen in a few games here and there."

He said the side would take confidence this week from matches played against top sides throughout the season.

"We've knocked off the best at different stages," he said. "We've beaten East, pushed Wendouree a couple of weeks ago and I think we can stack up well with them.

"We beat Darley, obviously we were terrific last week against Mount Clear. We know we're capable of handling the one-day format, but a lot depends on the day."

In some respects the pressure has been lifted off North Ballarat with the appeal's panel verdict during the week, but it's not something that Warrick said he had paid any attention to, preferring to prepare his side for a possible knock-out encounter.

Incredibly, the top six sides will all meet each other in the final round of the season, with all positions in the finals up for grabs.

And the seventh ranked team Ballarat-Redan will start as favourites in its match, with every chance of slipping into the top six at the expense of Golden Point.

The intriguing final round pits first versus second, third versus fourth and fifth versus sixth.

WENDOUREE finds itself one game and small run-rate percentage clear of East Ballarat, but a big win to the Hawks could see top spot, and the all-important double-chance change hands.

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The Red Cap's batting has been a stand-out this season, with the club scoring almost 700 runs more for the season than any other club, but one slip-up could be costly. Three wins in the past four games has the Hawks in good form with this match set to be a test of exactly where each club stands leading into finals.

THE clash between three and four, Mount Clear and Darley will see a match-up between two sides, who are already assured a finals position, but will be looking to recapture the winning feeling after both went down in the previous round.

Darley was unable to chase Wendouree's 200 last week, falling 46 runs short, while Mount Clear was a shock big loser to Golden Point, despite making 188 with the bat.

Both batting line-ups are capable of big scores on their day, but with the match at Mount Clear turf, which last time saw a score of 133 be successful by only three wickets, it promises to be an interesting contest which will go a long way to seeing where each team stands.

BALLARAT-REDAN will have its eyes on both its match-up with Brown Hill, a side more than capable on its day, and the scoreboard between Golden Point and North Ballarat.

The equation for Ballarat-Redan is beat Brown Hill and then wait to see, but with two straight wins leading into the contest, the confidence will be high in the camp.

Brown Hill will look to play the role of spoiler as it looks to finish its season in style.

THE only match that will have no baring on the finals make-up is the clash between Napoleons-Sebastopol and Buninyong which is being played at St Pats Number 2 oval.

Buninyong is certain to finish the season in eighth position, regardless of the result, but Napoleons-Sebastopol will be looking to pick up a final win of the season, which could see it jump off the bottom of the ladder.

For that to happen, Napoleons-Sebastopol will need a win and hope Brown Hill loses to Ballarat-Redan.

BCA FIRSTS ROUND 18: Mount Clear v Darley, East Ballarat v Wendouree, Ballarat-Redan v Brown Hill, Buninyong v Naps-Sebas, Golden Point v North Ballarat.

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