Workers Gol Gol v Irymple
Alcheringa Oval
WORKERS Gol Gol and Irymple are both one win away from this year’s Sunraysia Cricket Association grand final.
All year they have been working towards a tilt at this year’s premiership.
Irymple tasted the ultimate success two years ago when they upset flag favourites Mildura Settlers, but last year were knocked out in the semi-finals by Workers, who were then rolled by Setts in the decider.
Today they again meet in a semi, the prize a grand final berth.
Workers Gol Gol captain Adam Thomson said he believed little separated the two sides.
“It is probably as even a match as what we have seen for a semi-final – in my time in the comp at least,” Thomson said.
“We probably bat a bit deeper than what they do and their bowling is a bit stronger than ours – hopefully our batting will be able to get the job done for us.”
The evenness of these two teams was shown last weekend in the final round of the home-and-away season when they played to a draw when Workers chased down Irymple’s first innings total of 265.
Thomson believes the confidence they gained from last Saturday will carry through to this weekend.
“We hadn’t had a lot of success chasing runs throughout the year so to chase down a big total gives us a huge amount of confidence we can do it,” Thomson said.
“I think we needed 160 runs off the last 20 overs so to know we can accelerate like that was a huge bonus as well.”
Although Workers showed they can chase down a big total, Thomson said he would prefer to win the toss and bat first.
“I think most sides in the finals will try and bat first and the wicket at Golly (Alcheringa Oval) is traditionally pretty good so batting first, I think, will be a bit of an advantage,” Thomson said.
“We know they have some really good batters in their side and they are in good form as well.
“If you look at Jordan Payne, Cogs (Dan Coghlan) and Lushy (Bryson Lush) they have all scored runs over the past few weeks so while our batsmen are in good form, their key players are too.
“We just need to do the basic things well – score runs, bowl tight and field well – it should be a great game.”
Mildura Settlers v Mildura West
Mildura Senior College
NO side in the past decade has dominated the SCA as much as Mildura Settlers.
The reigning premiers have won six of the past 10 premierships and are favourites to add another one this year.
Today they host Mildura West and on form should have little trouble advancing to next weekend’s grand final.
Setts have not missed a beat this season.
Their mix of experience and youth has created a formidable combination.
Mark Cleary showed in the final round of the home-and-away season last weekend why he is recognised as such a key player in big games.
In trouble early chasing Nichols Point’s first innings total of 191, Cleary steadied the ship with a patient half century.It is his ability to control situations in big games which makes him such an important player.
But there is no lack of support for Cleary, with Richie Wyld, Mark Kerr and John Pratt all experienced campaigners.
Seamus Keogh provides the youthful enthusiasm needed in any side, while Braidyn Turner has again led superbly as skipper.
West know they have the job ahead of them but they go into this game with plenty of momentum after last weekend’s outright win over Merbein South, which propelled them into the
top four for the first time in 2019-20.
Chris Williams is a class player and Ben Hallam has proven himself this season as one of the better opening batsmen in the competition.
Luke Hickey is another who has enjoyed a great year with the ball, but it will take a massive team effort if they are to upset Setts on their home deck.
