WARM UP: James Ryan hits a Shaun Grenfell delivery over the top in a clash between the pair earlier this season. Orange City takes on Cavaliers at Wade Park this weekend, with the teams likely to meet again in next weekend’s final. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 1027sgcrick2
ORANGE City skipper Dave Boundy has an interesting perspective on the business end of the season.
Heading into the final round of the Orange District Cricket Association season, the most experienced head in the Warriors line-up played down this weekend’s clash with Cavaliers, calling it nothing more than just another game.
In many respects he is right.
Unless Orange City wins and wins well over Cavaliers, it’s almost certain the Warriors will finish the regular season in third place.
Considered a long shot by most, only an outright win will change the order on the ladder.
It’s the same scenario for the second-placed Cavs.
Unless the former kings of the ODCA turn back the clock and completely dominate Orange City to the point they earn maximum points, Cavaliers will still finish second and leave CYMS untouched on top of the 2012-13 ladder.
So what does either side have to get out of this weekend’s clash?
A match Boundy said was “pretty much” a nothing game.
“I think you’ve got to look at consistency,” Boundy offered, perhaps offering the first bout of mind games ahead of an intriguing finals series that’ll climax on March 24.
“You want to keep the consistency going. You don’t want to get beaten and then have to start from scratch the week after.”
It’ll be the same for Cavaliers.
This weekend’s cricket will be about preparing for the finals as much as it is trying to get the points over Orange City.
Boundy believes not long ago, Orange City would have looked at a game like this one and thought they were no hope of competing with Cavs, a side that once won eight consecutive ODCA and Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket first grade crowns.
Not any more.
The two sides have been evenly matched this season, with Cavs getting the chocolates by seven wickets back in October and Orange City the latest win in January, this time by 68 runs.
Boundy said he wasn’t worried about the loss back in October.
“It was that long ago I don’t really see it as an issue. For us, the confidence is certainly there,” he said.
“Cavs aren’t probably the team they were three or four years ago. That’s a good thing.”
Orange City takes on Cavaliers from 1pm today at Wade Park, with the match concluding tomorrow.