Minor premier Lindenow South Glenaladale and boom side Wy Yung will do battle for the Bairnsdale Cricket Association two-day premiership this weekend at the Meerlieu Cricket Ground.
Despite the Bulls occupying the top spot for the majority of the season, it’s the Tigers who will go in as warm favourites and the side to beat.
They are playing with enormous confidence and haven’t been defeated since round four when they went to down to Metung Swan Reach, a loss that kick-started their season.
The addition of quality personnel such as David Wolfe, Ray Stevens, Charlie Thompson, Sean Philipson and Ben Channing, who weren’t part of Wy Yung’s disappointing start to the season, has seen the side’s fortunes change significantly.
The Tigers’ rise to prominence has been backed by the value each player puts on their wicket, regular significant partnerships and the ability to bat the allocated overs and post a competitive score, which their accurate and consistent bowling attack of skipper Stevie Bertino, Darcy Murray, Philipson, Damian Vicary and spinner Thompson can defend, by being hard to get away and always in the game.
Their batting has genuine stars in Cameron McPhan, the ageing Wolfe, Ben Saxon and Daniel Gledhill, while all the other players in their 12-player line up are more than capable of posting a score, as shown by Ben Channing and Ray Stevens getting them over the line last week, while Todd Murray scored heavily the last time the two sides met.
The sides have faced off twice this season with the Tigers victorious on both occasions, last time in sensational fashion when they knocked the Bulls over for just 53.
But the Bulls are no easybeats and may actually enjoy going in as the underdog in the biggest game of the season.
They have the game’s biggest wicket, Haydn Erfurth, who will set himself for a big score, and if he comes off they could post a total not even the Tigers can get.
Luke Schumann continues to impress. He has scored a century this season and looked comfortable in the semi final against St Mary’s Nagle.
Scott Dare is always good for 30, while Nathan King is the wildcard and capable of anything with bat and ball.
They will need runs from youngsters such as Zac O’Keefe, Logan Dunkley and Seth Smith, as well as veterans like Nathan Pollard and Scott Davidson if they are to take home the silverware.
Their bowling attack will keep the Tigers honest, with Smith, Mel Irish and King all in good form, and Dunkley, Pollard and Davidson all capable of getting a bag of wickets with different variations of slow bowling.
It’s an intriguing clash with numerous possibilities and plenty of twists and turns before a winner is decided. Hopefully both sides put on a spectacle worthy of the biggest game of the year.
TEAMS
Lindenow South Glenaladale: Mel Irish and Haydn Erfurth (co-captains), Scott Dare, Nathan King, Luke Schumann, Zachary O’Keefe, Logan Dunkley, Scott Davidson, Nathan Pollard, Seth Smith, Will O’Keefe and Jamie Donnelly.
Wy Yung: Stevie Bertino (captain), Todd Murray, David Wolfe, Cameron McPhan, Daniel Gledhill, Ben Saxon, Raymond Stevens, Ben Channing, Sean Philipson, Darcy Murray, Charlie Thompson and Damian Vicary.
MATCHES
“A” grade: Lindenow South Glenaladale v Wy Yung at Meerlieu. Umpires: Damian Tubb and Dave Kinsey.
“B” grade: Bruthen v Wy Yung at Bullumwaal Road. Umpires: Martin Blennerhassett and Steven Lind.
“C” grade: Lucknow v Sarsfield at Bairnsdale City Oval. Umpires: Shane Rabbitt and Dennis Stevens.
