By Casey OÇonnor
The Stanthorpe and District Cricket Association grand final will be played this Saturday at the CF White Oval with Souths and RSL set to go head-to-head.
The two teams have battled throughout the season for the top of the table position with Souths crowned minor premiers after finishing 15 rounds of fixtures one win and four points clear of RSL, having only dropped four games throughout the season.
On Saturday there should be no selection surprises in either team.
Souths – Defending premiers. Fielding a team filled with experience and talent experienced side should line up this way.
1. Sachepal Singh – Opening bat who is capable of getting team off to a flying start. Can be frustrating to the opposition.
2. Lauchlan Pill (Vc) – Class Batter who can stay and stay in the middle and build a big innings. Great fielder and first change bowler.
3. Jordan Lanza – One of the best bats in the competition who can tear an attack apart quickly. Also bowls and can get through his overs quickly.
4. Danny Folkers (Captain) – Seasoned veteran of the side. Top order batter. Can keep wickets if needed. Hasn’t bowled all year but can if needed.
5. Callum Blake – Opening fast bowler. He has scored valuable runs in the middle order. Great fielder.
6. Zechariah Kalo Shem – First change bowler who has picked up wickets at crucial times. Strong middle order batter.
7. Liam Lanza – Opening fast bowler who gives it his all. Has the ability to rip through a top order. Greatly improved batter after gaining confidence in Representative cricket this season.
8. David Burgess (Wk) – Another seasoned veteran. Can score runs quickly once he gets his eye in. Capable of changing the momentum of a game with his big hitting.
9. Jacob Furness – Returned to cricket halfway through the season. Has scored valuable runs but also can bowl tight overs in the middle.
10. Mark Lanza – The Veteran of the side. Great fielder in gully. Very reliable with the bat.
11. Fletcher Fox – Youngster of the team. Has the ability to bowl some tight overs. Has improved with every game this season.
12. Prashanth Reddy Kandhi – Puts in 100% in the field every game. Has a great arm.
Souths opponents, RSL have pushed them all the way this season. RSL has notched up some impressive wins at the back end of the season and last Saturday looked good in their semi-final game against Wanderers The bowlers were impressive with ball in hand and ripped through Wanderers middle and lower order. Jamie Carnell (22) and Aiden Halford (31) were the only batters to show any resistance as Wanderers were dismissed for 83.
RSL Openers Sam Dowie (no 42) and Nick Lawer (21 bowled Barry Bulow) and Rohan Brady (no 13) had no trouble overtaking the required runs in just over 15 overs.
RSL is sure to meet much stiffer opposition in the final against the defending premiers but will be primed for a big game aiming to win back the premiership mantle.
RSL – A team that is an excellent mix of talented youth and outstanding experience. They should line up like this in the final.
1. Nick Lawer – Hard hitting opening batsman.
2. Sam Dowie – Opening batsman and bowler who is capable of winning the game with both bat and ball.
3. Rohan Brady – the competition’s leading run scorer and Player of the Year. He will be looking for a big innings. Handy with the ball if required.
4. Will Dowie – Excellent team man that always gives 100% with bat and ball. Capable of some big hits.
5. Luke Brady – (Captain) Very experienced leader and a capable middle order batsman.
6. Duane Lihou- Experienced veteran of the team guaranteed to give 100% with bat and ball.
7. Noah Mackenzie – Young fast bowler, will lead the bowling attack.
8. Ethan Mackenzie – Medium pace bowler with great wicket taking ability
9. Chris Haynes – (Wk) – Safe hands – sure to keep the team morale up from behind the stumps. (Won’t be silenced)
10. Jason Haynes- Young player who is a future top order batsman and spin bowler
11. Will Lawer- Named Junior Colt of the Year. Youngster who is a future fast bowler, excellent fielder.
12. Thane Hills- Very keen future all-rounder.
The 40 over game is scheduled for a 12.30pm start.
