Cavaliers will play CYMS in the 2016-17 Orange District Cricket Association first grade grand final after the maroons negotiated a tricky run chase in Sunday’s preliminary final against Orange City.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Played over the course of one day after Saturday’s opening day’s play was abandoned, the Warriors set Cavaliers 123 for victory and a place in this summer’s decider.
Led by contributions from John Warrington (30), Tom Aggett (27), Matt Corben (21) and Josh Doherty (15), Cavs got there with four wickets in hand, with five overs to spare.
Will Currell (nine not out) and veteran Chris Martin (12no) guided their side to victory after a mid-innings collapse of 4-8 gave the Warriors a sniff.
That mini-avalanche of wickets paled in comparison to the 7-13 Orange City lost with the bat to be all out for 122.
The Warriors were tracking towards a potentially grand final-earning total with the bat, Dave Boundy (58) and Ben Findlay (21) the main scorers as City coasted to 3-109, with 17 overs still to bat.
But the wily sliders of left-arm spinner Brad Wright proved disastrous for the Warriors, Wright claiming 4-11 to put the skids on City’s efforts with the bat.
In short, that collapse paved the way for Cavs to strike.
Anyone in ODCA circles knows the maroons don’t need a second invitation to go for broke.
Cavaliers skipper Matt Corben said his side was playing well enough to be able to go toe-to-toe with minor premiers CYMS next week.
“It’s a good win, good job in the ball and in the field,” Corben said.
“We didn’t drop too many chances, took the ones that counted and in the big moments we definitely took them.
“It’s a big opportunity to get up against CYMS, we’re definitely scarred after last year so it’ll be good to get one back on them.”
“Our shot-selection let us down,” Rogan added.
“To lose (7-13) took the wind right out of our sails. It’s as simple as that.”