THE 2017-18 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Twenty20 Cup winner will be crowned on Sunday afternoon after an exciting day of cricket at Frew Park.
It is still unknown who will battle in the major game of the day.
North Sportsman’s will tackle West Gambier in the opening game on Sunday, with the winner taking the first position in the grand final, while the victorious team out of Millicent and South Gambier will fill the second void.
The heat policy and player unavailability resulted in questionable ladder positions come the finals.
North finished second in Pool A – behind Millicent – but defeated the latter in a minor round game convincingly.
The Tigers’ bowling attack held the Saints to just 74 runs, a total they were able to reach in eight overs and with nine wickets to spare.
North will look to bring that domination into the weekend, with its ultimate aim being back-to-back Twenty20 Cup titles.
However, it will not be easy as Millicent, West and South all pose strong cricketers and will do everything in their power to hold the cup at the end of the day.
North Sportsman’s v West Gambier
NORTH Sportsman’s and West Gambier are two of the closer sides in the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield competition and the Twenty20 clash on Sunday morning will see a tight battle.
The Roos are the only side to defeat the Tigers in the 2017-18 season.
North was undermanned – having three players away on state duties – but the victory gave West some confidence.
In order to repeat that Barber Shield performance, West will need big efforts from a handful of players.
Jake Blackwell’s century last Saturday, along with half-centuries from both Ben Hentschke and Sam Willis will be the fire-power the Roos need in order to keep up with a talented North outfit.
The Tigers have a long list of players with ability.
The McInerney brothers are strong batsmen who play the shorter format well and find the boundary with ease.
Both can also take their fair share of wickets with the ball, as can Tim Young and Josh Fidler.
It is unlikely West will keep up with the strong calibre of players in the Tigers’ side.
However, if the Roos do, the game could come down to the wire.
Millicent v South Gambier
A TOUGH clash between Millicent and South Gambier is expected in the second game on Sunday.
The Saints won three of four matches in the minor rounds and will hope to reach the major game to seek revenge against North Sportsman’s.
Millicent skipper John Facey has been an impressive leader throughout the Twenty20 clashes, posting a credible 98 runs in Round 1 against Allendale.
If he strings together a similar performance the Saints will be in the game.
However, South will do everything in its power advance further into the final series.
Robbie Drenthen and former Millicent and District Cricket Association player Dylan Clough will have a big impact on the end result.
Drenthen has been in stellar form at the South Australian Senior Country Cricket Carnival in Adelaide and will hope to bring that same dominance into Sunday’s game, while Clough has also been consistent.
