It’s been a bumper Orange District Cricket Association season, one which comes to a conclusion with this weekend’s grand finals.
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The also-rans have been weeded out, leaving only the best sides to fight it out for the first grade, second grade, third grade and Centenary Cup trophies.
We’ve looked at each game in detail and are bringing you everything you could possibly want, and need, to know about all the games, and the teams and players involved.
Welcome to your ODCA grand final HQ.
VIDEO: Check out what Central Western Daily sporting gurus Nick McGrath and Matt Findlay think ahead of the grand finals
FIRST GRADE
CYMS v Cavaliers
Wade Park, 1pm Saturday and 10am Sunday
There’s no lost between these two sides, there never has been.
For the third consecutive season CYMS and Cavaliers will reignite their fierce rivalry in a top grade decider, it’s an enmity that’s gone to another level this season – remember that firey round two fixture? We do.
CYMS has come out on top of both those previous deciders, winning by two wickets in 2014-15 to break a three-decade long title drought and then backing that up with a 267-run victory last summer.
Hugh Le Lievre centuries were the catalysts for both wins, he pummeled 119 in the former and then 100 in the latter to inspire the wins – can he do it again? If he does we’ll officially declare the all-rounder not human.
CYMS are deserved favourites leading into this weekend’s decider, but Cavaliers are also confident after trumping Orange City in last weekend’s preliminary final.
The Central Western Daily spoke to CYMS quick Peter Gott, in his first year with the club, and Cavaliers mainstay Josh Doherty leading into the game, check out what they had to say and how their sides will approach the game.
The fixture will be watched over by Orange’s two best umpires as well.
The first grade decider is at Wade Park and kicks off at 1pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday.
TEAM LISTS
- CYMS: Hamish Finlayson ©, Hugh Le Lievre, Michael Hannelly, Matt Baker, Amit Balgi, Ben Chiarella, Tom Belmonte, Ant Spruce, Todd Murphy, Chris Novak, Peter Gott, Al Dhatt
- CAVALIERS: Matt Corben ©, Josh Doherty, John Warrington, Tom Aggett, Chris Martin, Richie Venner, Greg Martin, Scott Kennedy, Will Currall, Harry Pearce, Bailey Ferguson, Brad Wright, Mark Maybin
SECOND GRADE
Orange City v Gladstone
Jack Brabham 2, 1pm Saturday
Another rematch of a 2015-16 decider.
Gladstone triumphed last year in a low-scoring affair, but the side hasn’t been as dominant this summer as in past seasons, finishing fourth before trumping minor premiers CYMS in the semi-finals.
Orange City on the other hand, was as well-performed as ever.
The side will need to overcome its ordinary grand final record to claim the trophy. The Warriors will make their 11th straight reserve grade decider appearance this weekend – they only won four.
THIRD GRADE
Wanderers v Orange City
Jack Brabham 1, 1pm Saturday
Wanderers are gunning to redeem themselves after losing last year’s decider to Waratahs, while Orange City has fought, and fought hard, to progress to the grand final after a somewhat inconsistent season.
The two sides have shared the spoils this summer with one win apiece, signalling what should be a juicy grand final affair.
The likes of Gav Smith and Mark Wiegold have been on fire for the Wanderers while Jeremy Bartier, Mick Evans and Jason Corby could have a big influence on Orange City’s performance.
CENTENARY CUP
Kinross Young Guns v Kinross Tens
Country Club Oval, 1.30pm Saturday
Does it get any better than a derby in a grand final?
That’s rhetorical, don’t answer, it doesn’t.
This summer’s most consistent Centenary Cup side, the Kinross Young Guns, will face their clubmates Kinross Tens in Saturday’s decider in what is sure to be a blockbuster affair.
In the Tens side Hunt, George Cumming and teen prodigy Phoebe Litchfield, who has smashed 212 runs at an average of 42.4 this summer, are sure to play a crucial role.
For the Young Guns, the likes of Harry May, Oliver Hoskins and Harry Kermode have all been in stellar form this season and will need to stand up when it counts.