TEMPY have tamed the top side once, and they hope to do it again on the biggest stage.
The Tigers and Nursery Ridge collide today in the Red Cliffs Cricket Association A Grade grand final at Quandong Park.
After losing to eventual minor premiers Ridge in their three meetings during the home-and-away season, Tempy turned the tables by winning their qualifying final match-up two weeks ago. Ridge had to defeat Ouyen Rams last week to make their way into the one-day shield final.
The Tigers won their last A Grade title in 2016-17 when they defeated Cardross by five wickets, and batsman Oscar Smith said his side is feeling good ahead of the showdown.
“We’ve missed out after coming close over the past few years so we’re up and about,” he said.
“It feels really good, and especially because the community puts so much into the club.
“We got a bit of confidence (from the win against Ridge), but you can’t take it lightly. They finished on top of the ladder for a reason.
“Ben Mole ‘s batting helped us out in the final, and Nick Monaghan has been bowling well.
“Everyone’s fielding has really improved at the back end of the season. It probably picked up just before finals. We’ve been staying later at training and doing those extra drills that could help us.”
Ridge last won an A Grade title in 2015-16 – against Tempy. The side only dropped two games during the home-and-away season before being defeated in the qualifying final.
Captain Luke Collett said he knows he is taking a good team into the grand final.
“You have to approach the game with confidence, but at the same time if a team does beat you, you have to just say fair play,’ he said.
“It’s hard to know if it (qualifying final) was a loss we had to have. Losses are really only good if you learn from your mistakes.
“Shannon Bowen and Cam Peters are our strong batters, but what’s put us in a good spot all year has been that we’ve had enough depth to cover our bases.
“It gives you a bit of confidence in knowing that if we lose a couple of quick wickets, or one of their batters gets away a bit, that we have the ability to get back into the game.”
The game begins at 1pm on Quandong Park Oval No. 5.
In the B Grade grand final, Nursery Ridge will play Ouyen Rams on Quandong Park Oval No.3.
