LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER will go into tomorrow’s Northern District Cricket Association A Grade second semi-final against Wandella as strong favourites to qualify for a second consecutive grand final.
The composite side, which finished two wins clear of the competition at the top of the ladder, will host the Bombers at Leitchville in a potential repeat of the 2015/16 decider.
The hosts hold a 3-1 record against the Riverside Park tenants this season, with Leitchville/Gunbower prevailing by five wickets when the sides last met on February 11.
The victory ended Wandella’s seven-match winning streak, with the run including a two-wicket result against tomorrow’s opponents back in early January.
However, both sides go into the second semi-final on the back of consecutive losses, thanks to results in the past three weeks.
Despite this, it will be Leitchville/Gunbower’s opening batting combination and Wandella’s middle order that will determine the result.
Casey McNaught (596 runs) and Kurt Brereton (469 runs) are the association’s most prolific opening combination, but if the likes of Matt Wilkinson (21 wickets) and Liam Radcliffe (19 wickets) get on top with the ball early, the Bombers will be a strong chance of hosting March 11’s grand final.
Wandella will look to Greg Dickson (404 runs) and captain, Isaac Hogan (313 runs) to lead the way with the bat, with Thomas Dehne (21 wickets) and Brad Windridge (19 wickets) to be the host’s key bowlers.
In tomorrow’s other A Grade match, Barham/Koondrook will look to record a fourth victory against Nondies this season and progress to Sunday’s preliminary final.
The border side won its first three encounters against the Cohuna-based side in 2016/17, with Nondies winning by eight runs when the sides last met on February 18.
Nondies captain, Josh Novoselek will be a key player for the visitors in this match, thanks to centuries in his past two matches.
If the border side’s bowling attack, led by Garry Lolicato (20 wickets), claim Novoselek’s wicket early, the hosts will prevail.
Barham/Koondrook boasts a much stronger batting line-up, highlighted by Matt Thomas (532 runs), Paul Molin (413 runs) and Shane Guerra (393 runs), with Lachie Harbinson (17 wickets) and his fellow Nondies bowlers needing to dominate with the ball to produce an upset win.
An even contest?
Both first semi-finalists have produced victories against this season’s Northern District Cricket Association A Grade top two teams, meaning Sunday’s preliminary final could be an entertaining encounter.
The loser of the second semi-final between Leitchville/Gunbower and Wandella will host Sunday’s penultimate match of the season, with the 18-round competition, consisting of five teams, meaning the combatants have met on at least three occasions in season 2016/17.
If results go the way of the ladder, Wandella will play Barham/Koondrook at Riverside Park, with the Bombers winning its past two games against the border-based opponents. This record includes the club’s last win of the season, which came on February 4.
