This season’s Goulburn District Cricket Association first grade grand final combatants, Workers Stags and Hibo Gold teams faced each other in the two previous season in the ultimate match.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Stags were victorious last season and Hibo Gold the season before.
Hibo Gold will actually be playing in their ninth grand final of of the last 10, when the Southern Lands competition was included they have won six out of the last nine, with Saturday’s grand final up for grabs.
The two teams are evenly matched on paper, with most of Goulburn’s representative side coming from Hibo Gold and Workers Stags, both sides are well balanced.
Stags have a consistent bowling attack with plenty of depth, Jim Wilson, James Will ,Connor Murrel, Kel Sansom, Andrew Tivey (assuming he has overcome his hand injury) and Dan Cooper comprise a well balanced attack.
The Hibo bowling attack will be spearheaded by Mik Webber and Brad Smith with good support expected from Jimmy Kent and Matt Scott.
Hibo Gold would arguably have a slightly stronger batting side on paper and bat deep into their batting order. Both teams however have batsmen that can take the game away from the opposition very quickly and emphatically.
When weighing up both teams strengths it is obvious that this grand final on paper at least, is too close to call and either of these teams would be considered worthy winners with the big possibility that small things in the run of play may decide who wins the title of 2018 Premiers.
The match commences at 12.30pm at Seiffert Oval on Saturday afternoon and promises to be another close encounter between these two good teams.
In the break Christmas I wrote a progress report on the state of the competition in which I made the point that any of the top three teams could win the premiership. Minor premiers Hibo Green, although having a very strong season were defeated in the final and leaving the second and third placed teams to do battle, which to me underlines how tight and closely fought this first grade competition is.
Elimination final
Last week in the final between Green and Gold Hibo Gold amassed a run total of 203 in 45 overs with seven wickets lost. Gold’s skipper Brad Smith won the toss and had no hesitation in in batting first with the aim of setting a high target for Green to chase.
Hibo Green’s openers were quick to fall and they was starting to look shaky, when Dane Stevenson was bowled by Mikl Webber at 3/22. Green was really struggling at 6/66, with most of their stronger batsmen back in stand. Eventually they were dismissed for 88, handing Gold a grand final berth.