MINOR premiers S&C Blues start as favourites in Saturday’s Delta Agribusiness final against Come Alive Fitness Crusaders.
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The match at Nixon Park number one sees the two most consistent teams over the season do battle. At the end of the preliminary rounds, only one point separated these sides.
The Blues, who are playing in their first season of the South West Slopes Cricket League having previously played the last two seasons in the Cowra competition, have had a stellar season.
After losing the first two matches, they have not tasted defeat since October 14.
Since then they have showed their class team and have never been threatened on the scoreboard.
The Blues’ side boost of an impressive batting line, which is led by their opening batsman Jonte Powderly. The 18-year-old finished the home and away season as the competition is leading run-getter, 348 runs at 38.7 with a highest score of 113 not out in last round against Mimosa.
Other batsmen who are expected to make an impact are Duncan Cameron, Nick Hall and Josh Platt.
Nick Hall will lead the Blues’ bowling attack. While he has had a quiet season with the ball, he certainly can generate plenty of pace. Duncan Cameron will provide plenty of variety with his left arm medium pacers, while off spinner Brendan Croese could put the brakes on the free flowing scoring ability of the Crusaders batsman.
The Crusaders have a more experienced side with plenty of cricketers in this line up spent many summers on the cricket field.
One player that will be looking to make some impact in this final is Matt Berkrey. The talented left-hander practises hard, however his over aggression on match day finds himself getting out early.
Darren Connell and Scott Meale have had consistent season with the bat and both will be keen to get among the runs again.
The fast bowling duo from Coota West Dean Bradley and David Garness have had impressive season with the ball with the pair capturing 54 wickets so far this season.
Bradley, who is taller, gets more bounce out of the deck, while Garness bowls line and length.
Saturday’s road trip for the Blues is their first since December 9 when they easily defeated Mimosa at Nixon Park.
This final is the third in the South West Slopes Cricket League and the first to be held on a neutral venue for both sides.
Last season the Coyotes smashed Mimosa by 118 runs at Cranfield Oval in Young. While in the inaugural season of competition, 2015-16, Mimosa easily trumped the Crusaders at Albert Park Cootamundra.
- S & C Blues: Cameron Jones [Capt.] Duncan Cameron, Luke Cosgrove, Brendan Croese Samuel Davis, Nicolas Hall, Patrick Hislop,Sinantha Jayathilak ,Josh Platt, Cooper Powderly, Jonte Powderly, Benjamin Schofield and Dean Schofield [one to be omitted]
- Come Alive Fitness Crusaders: Mark Elia [Capt.] Darren Connell, Matt Berkrey, Josh Purtell, Scott Meale, Luke Izzard, Phil Gay, David Garness, Dean Bradley, Tom Grace , Ray James and Mitchell Grace.
The final starts at 1.30pm.
