IF anyone at CYMS deserves to win this weekend’s Orange District Cricket Association grand final, it’s Jake Sands.
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In years of unwavering service Sands has bled green and gold. In that time he’s captained the club’s top grade, and as a top order bat he’s marked centre 178 times for the club, for 3326 runs including several tons - earning him 14th place on CYMS’ all-time scorers list.
But, there’s one thing missing from his already bulging CYMS resume - a premiership.
Not for lack of trying though.
Sands, along with Dave Neil, has played in four of the green and golds’ losing grand final teams since their last premiership in season 1983-84.
“I knew that would get brought up when I agreed to do this,” Sands laughed.
“Look, obviously it would mean a lot to win this one, especially with it being our 70th anniversary year.
“But for me, I don’t think it will mean any more than any of the others would have. But I’ve really enjoyed this year with the young guys coming through, so it would still mean a great deal.
“I played a couple of games (in 2012-13) but not many, and none last season. The anniversary, and maybe having the chance to finally win that elusive title as well, brought be back I think.
“I’m really looking forward to the game.”
VIDEO: Matt Findlay and Nick McGrath preview this weekend's Orange grand finals:
Sands will take his spot at the top of CYMS’ batting order today, in a youthful side which has dominated all that has come before it in 2014-15.
The sturdy opening bat has 198 runs so far this season, at 28.29, and while he acknowledges those numbers aren’t up to his normally lofty standards, Sands is sure he will produce in the grand final.
Taking on a motivated Cavaliers unit trying to give their skipper Stu Middleton a fairytale finish, Sands refused to give too much away about his side’s approach.
“We’ve just been trying to stay relaxed, that’s the key,” Sands said.
“We have been speaking a lot about what we’re planning on doing in the game, but I don’t really want to give too much away.
“All year our strength has really been our bowling, so I think we’re focusing a bit more on batting out the full day.”
Today’s play kicks off at 12.30pm at Wade Park, and starts at 11am tomorrow and will be officiated by newly crowned umpire of the year Ian Findlay and Steve Warrington.