There is still a couple of games remaining in the Cricket NSW Plan B Regional Bash Thunder Conference's preliminary stages, but it would appear South Coast Pool champions Central West are on a semi-final collision course with the ACT Aces.
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Central West, of course, are already locked in for a top four appearance at the SCG on January 26 next year and after kicking off their campaign emphatically last weekend all signs point to the Aces becoming the Wranglers' semi-final opponent again.
The two sides faced off in the semi-final last summer as well, the Aces romped home by six wickets on the back of Tim Floros' unbeaten 66 before being beaten by the Central Coast Rush in the decider.
It's great to see some of the younger guys around ... really put in a good show.
- ACT coach Mick Delaney
Led and inspired by former Central West heroes, the Aces absolutely hammered the Wagga Wagga Sloggers by seven wickets in their tournament-opener at Canberra's Chisholm Oval last Sunday.
With coach Mick Delaney - a premiership-winner with CYMS - pulling the strings behind the scenes Bathurst's Nic Broes slapped 57 from 46 balls as his Aces made light work of the Sloggers' 5-140, winning with almost four overs to spare.
Ethan Bartlett played a huge hand in the Aces' win too, finishing the chase with an unbeaten 42 from just 26 balls.
Broes moved to Canberra this season after inspiring St Pat's Old Boys to last summer's Royal Hotel Cup and winning the Carl Sharpe Medal for player-of-the-tournament to boot, and his Regional Bash half-ton came after a pretty impressive start with club side Wests too.
"He's playing in the ACT-NSW Country 19s (as well)," Delaney said of Broes, impressed with the 18-year-old's transition so far.
"So he's to play a bit of grade cricket and test himself a bit, and he's doing really well. He seems to be quite a mature kid, so he's got every [chance]."
Delaney went on to say his side has an impressive crop of youngsters coming through the bowling ranks as well, with Finn McGurk taking 3-18 from his overs. He was supported well by Angus Tarpey and Ollie Anable too, although they both wicketless.
"[McGurk] did really, really well. It's great to see some of the younger guys around ... really put in a good show," Delaney said.
Although the Border Bullets won their opening clash last week and are still on track to top the ACT Pool as well, the powerful Aces side has been given the tag of favourites, especially with added motivation considering last summer's decider loss.
Which of those two sides should win through will become clearer after they face off on Saturday morning at Canberra's Phillip Oval, while the Murrumbidgee Rangers also play the Sloggers from 9.30am.
The Aces face the Rangers that afternoon, from 1.30pm, while the Bullets play the Sloggers.
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