Both Boorowa Cricket teams looked in good form last weekend with both sides recording convincing wins on the eve of their respective semi-finals.
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The Gators made light work in over hauling the Yass Golf Club Colts winning by six wickets whilst the Crocs had to work a little longer against The Aussie Hotel Pirates to win by eight wickets.
The pressure was on both Boorowa teams to win with only one able to make the B Grade playoffs.
With both teams winning, it means the Crocs maintained fourth spot advancing to elimination final in B Grade whilst the Gators finished fifth and will now play in the C Grade play offs.
They will now play a qualifying final having finished in the top position of C Grade.
The Gators never really looked in trouble against the Yass Golf Club Colts.
They knocked over the Colts for just 117 with Mitch Clarke taking 3/26 and Mick Canellis 3/21 whilst Chris McIntosh took 2/21.
In reply the Gators went hard with the bat and overtook the score with just four wickets down to finish with 4/122 in just 22 overs.
Chris McIntosh completed a good double scoring 43 whilst young gun Luke Syrec compiled a useful 28.
Meanwhile at Bowning, the Crocs had a tougher assignment.
The Aussie Pirates batted first and after looking like being dismissed early at 8/133, they managed to bat the full complement of overs to make 8/172.
Cameron Johnston with 2/29 and Alex Blomfield with 2/26 were the main wicket takers whilst Kyle Banks, Russell George, Chris Dwyer and Blake Toman all chipped in with one wicket each.
Poor fielding cost the Crocs dearly and they will need to improve this week.
In reply, Boorowa was in trouble early at 2/31 before Russell George and Chris Dwyer combined for a huge unbeaten third wicket stand of 145.
Chris played some great strokes for his 74 not out whilst Russell continues to churn out the runs lately making an unbeaten 65.
The Crocs reached the target with several overs to spare.
And so we move on to this week’s first semi-finals.
The Crocs will play an elimination final in the Sweeney cup against the Yass Golf Club Taipans at Oconnor Park in Yass.
Very little separates these two teams with both teams having one win each in the matches they have played this year.
This included a thriller just three weeks ago that went down to the last over.
Provided Boorowa can hold their own in the batting, the Crocs bowling fire power could well be the difference.
There is no tomorrow for the loser so nothing will be left to chance.
The last time Boorowa won the Sweeney Cup was way back in 1989 with just a lone survivor from that team, Phil Coggins, still going around in the current squad.
Meanwhile, the Gators have a qualify final against the Binalong in Boorowa.
Again, very little separates these teams and it may well be a dropped catch or perhaps a freakish run out that’s the difference.
The Gators have a strong all round line up capable of beating anyone but have been guilty of going AWOL at times this season.
Provided they stay fully focused for the entire game they should win their way through to a grand final in two weeks and defend the title they won last year.
The steady batting of McIntosh and Canellis will be crucial whilst Mitch Clarke could be the key in the bowling.
There’s no doubt, Bay 13 will play a part as well.
It’s a big weekend of cricket ahead.
If you can’t get to the Crocs game in Yass, why not head to the Gators cage in Bay 13 and support the side against old foes Binalong.
This game should be a ripper.
Late in the afternoon, we will be back at the Courthouse and all things being equal we will still have both sides alive in the bid for grand final glory.
See you at the cricket.
