After maintaining dominance throughout the inaugural Lachlan Premier Competition season, minor premiers Bowling Club and second placegetters Cambridge Cats will meet in the decider on Saturday.
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Between them, the two sides boast some of the best cricketers in the Western Zone.
Cowra based Bowling Club batsmen Nick Berry, Mick Curtale and all rounder Tim Berry, and Parkes based Cats top order batsmen Anthony Heraghty and Jacob Harvey all have recent zone experience.
Despite finishing below Bowling Club on the competition ladder, Cats hold a head-to-head advantage having won two of the sides three encounters in 2017/2018.
But Cats captain Anthony Heraghty says that advantage counts for nothing at Holman Oval on Saturday.
“Looking back at results it looks like we’ve had the wood on them, but now, in the grand final, it’s a different story.
“It’s been a close tussle all season.”
Bowling Club is aiming to win back-to-back titles having won the Cowra District Association first grade competition in 2016-2017.
Most of that side will feature again on Saturday, but Bowling Club captain Matt Crawley said it’s “very different” this time around.
“We haven’t discussed anything like that. It’s a new competition, a new start, and the Parkes side would think the same,” Crawley said.
“We can draw on experience, certainly, but it’s very different.”
Both side’s captains said it’s going to take a complete effort on Saturday.
Crawley and Heraghty both recognised their opposing side’s top order batsmen as the dangers to their respective bids to premiership glory.
Crawley said bowlers like Nathan Thorn and Tim Berry will need to bowl with discipline throughout the 40 overs.
“They have a deep batting order with some real threats in the top six,” he said.
Heraghty said Cats need to take their chances and he is hoping to have the 50-50 calls go his side’s way.
He identified Mick Curtale and Nick Berry as the key scalps his side is targeting.
“If we keep the runs down from Mick and Nick, there’s no reason the game can’t be close again.”
The match begins at 1.30pm at Holman Oval on Saturday.
Bowling Club: Matt Crawley ©, Nick Berry, Tim Berry, Mick Curtale, Chris Day, Ross Graham, Chris Howarth, Charlie Johns, Kurt Johnstone, Aldo Lovett, Aaron Thorn, Nathan Thorn, Tom Thuaux.
Cambridge Cats: Anthony Heraghty ©, Zac Bayliss, Anthony Riach, Jacob Harvey, Mitch Cambourn, Clinton Hawke, Shane Jones, Billy Porter, Jonah Ruzgas, Graeme Bayliss, Harrison Bayliss, Hudson Hawke.
