MILDURA Settlers won’t take being one-nil up in the Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) grand final series for granted.
Setts won the first of three one-day finals against Coomealla Wentworth on Sunday, and victory today would see them add yet another premiership to their bulging cabinet.
The Blues, however, have proven their worth across the 2020-21 season, and boast one of the strongest bowling attacks in the league, led by Justin and Liam Freeman.
Settlers skipper Braidyn Turner said his side would treat today’s contest like it’s the first in the series.
“It is different to have kind of won a grand final, but to not have actually won it,” he said.
“Realistically everything has been different this season and I think we’ve learned to roll with it as much as possible.
“We have to take it a game at a time and not really think about being 1-0 up. We’re treating it like there hasn’t been a game so far.
“We know they have one of the better bowling attacks in the league, especially with Justin and Liam up front. Those guys are so dangerous and you have to do your best to get past them.”
Settlers compiled 9/178 with Luke Stanbrook scoring 48 and Richie Wyld unbeaten on 36. Coomealla Wentworth were then knocked over for 122, with Cal Hickey taking four wickets, Jason Morrison three and Mark Kerr registering outstanding figures of eight overs, four maidens and 2/7.
“I thought we did extremely well,” Turner said.
“Richie and ‘Bruiser’ (Stanbrook) obviously set us up really well to make 180-odd, and then ‘Cabbage’ (Kerr) and Jason really laid the ground work with the ball in the first 16 overs.
“I’m not sure where he (Kerr) hides his fountain of youth but whatever he’s doing, it works. Not bad for a 50-year-old.
“Cal Hickey came into the side from about round 6 and has been great. He’s our second highest wicket-taker behind Richie and took four scalps in the first final.”
Game 2 of the grand final series begins at 1pm today at Alcheringa. If required, game 3 will be the same time and location tomorrow.
