THERE’S a common saying in the cricket world - winning all season means nothing if you lose when it matters.
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That’s exactly what Royal Hotel Cup heavyweight, and title favourite, Cowra faces in Friday night’s Twenty20 decider against CYMS at Wade Park.
With an undefeated record - all comprehensive victories to boot - and a blockbuster side, the outside pressure is all on Cowra.
But, if you ask batsmen Pete Guthrie, his side doesn’t care.
“I don’t think we’re feeling any pressure,” the 21-year-old Combined Valleys representative said.
“There will no doubt be a few nerves (tomorrow) night with it being a grand final ... but if we can repeat our semi-final performance we’ll be hard to beat.”
The Lachlan Valley-based side demolished reigning champions Cavaliers (35 runs), Kinross (50 runs), Centrals (134 runs) and Molong (eight wickets) in the group stages, before easily accounting for perennial Twenty20 heavyweights Orange City in the semi-final, by 61 runs.
Perhaps tellingly, Orange City was the only team to take win points from CYMS.
“The semi-final was a step up (from the group stages),” Guthrie said.
“I’d say we wont be changing anything. (CYMS) are a good side and it will be another step up from Orange City, but we approached that like any game and got the result we needed.
“We’re heading into it with plenty of confidence and momentum, so I don’t think we’ll approach this match any differently.”
Guthrie outlined Curtis Free, Nick Wright and Dave Neil as danger men for CYMS, and acknowledged the green and golds’ deep batting line-up as its strength.
But with his side boasting countless game-breakers, and experience, in Western Zone star Mick Curtale, NSW Country Colts quick Jacob McNaught and evergreen quick Dave Henderson, Guthrie said he backs his side’s bowlers to get the better of CYMS.
He went on to fire a final message to the green and golds, warning them of heading into the game expecting a victory.
“(If they’re to win) they’ll definitely have to earn it.”
COWRA: Mick Curtale (c), Conor Crook, Scott Gray, Greg Garlick, Brendan Traves, Cameron Edgar, John Clarke, Jarrod Proctor, Dave Henderson, Pete Guthrie, Jacob McNaught, Sam McNaught.
