A GROUP of 12 Cootamundra cricketers have the opportunity to write their names into the record books when they play host to arch rivals Wagga in the final of the 2011/12 Stribley Shield at Albert Park on Sunday.
It has been six years since Coota last held the premiership trophy aloft, with the 101-run
victory over Wagga in the 2005/06 decider
representing an unprecedented fifth straight title for the Coota side.
Since then Yass has dominated the shield, matching Coota’s streak of five including
successive victories over Coota at Victoria Park in 2007/08 (23 runs) and 2008/09 (6 wickets).
Having earned the right to host the final
following a six wicket win over Temora, history is on Coota’s side as 10 of the past 13 deciders have been won by the home side.
Adding to the confidence heading into Sunday’s match is the fact Coota has named
virtually a full strength team, with many
experienced campaigners keen to get their hands on the silverware again.
John Stephens, Chris Dawe and Scott Meale were all members of the last title winning side from 2005/06, while Stephens, Adam Twyford, Mick Cronin and Dean Bradley have the chance to atone for the loss to Yass three years ago.
After losing their second round Country Plate match this season to Yass after the visitors advanced following a 160-run tie, Roberts pleaded with his playing group not to finish the season empty handed and they have responded with an unbeaten Stribley Shield record to date.
Roberts believes due to the raft between the top and bottom sides in club cricket this season, the representative players really look forward to their Sunday assignments.
“Dean Bradley is the perfect example,” Roberts said.
“There’s been plenty of Saturdays where he has had to bowl at kids or lesser batsmen so Sunday cricket is the opportunity for him to let loose,” Roberts said.
“He has been excellent this season and has taken three successive five-fors which is pretty rare at this level.
“There’s a big difference between Saturday cricket and being opposed to guys who play first or second grade in Wagga or who have played O’Farrell Cup for their towns.
“The guys are really starting to take the Sunday cricket seriously and the results are there to be seen.”
Roberts said Bradley and tear away teenager David Garness will again head up the Coota attack.
“Deano has got all the accolades from the past three games - and rightly so - but you can’t
dismiss the efforts of Dave,” Roberts said.
“He has been unlucky with a lot of edges flying between fieldsmen or balls just missing the stumps, but he’s been very economical and hasn’t gone for many runs.
“They are bowling really well in partnerships.”
With the willow Roberts is banking on the experience of Adam Twyford and the natural
brilliance of Nathan Corby.
“Adam is a senior player of the squad and really needs to step up,” he said.
“He has all the shots and because he can score so quickly he can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs.
“But he’s got to realise this is a final and he needs to dig in.
“We call Nathan the X-factor for that very
reason. He is capable of anything and can turn a match on its ear.”
Sunday’s match starts at 10.30am and will be officiated by Coota’s Chris Cassin and Steve Poidevin from Dalton who had the honour of standing in a Twenty/20 match on the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground last weekend.
The Coota team is as follows:
Scott Roberts (c), Josh Purtell, Adam Twyford, Mick Cronin, Scott Meale, Nathan Corby, Joel Pearson, Jimmy Mitchell, Chris Dawe, John Stephens, David Garness and Dean Bradley.
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