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They may have struggled in the Illawarra cricket competition this season, but Corrimal are only two wins away from a coveted match at one of Australian cricket’s spiritual homes.
South Coast rivals Lake Illawarra will be chasing the same dream of playing on the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground when they face off with Corrimal in the quarter-final of the statewide SCG Country Cup at Croome Road today.
The SCG Cup is a statewide knockout competition featuring teams from all major regional centres as well as sides from Newcastle, Illawarra and the Central Coast.
Corrimal captain Rob Fisher said his young side would take a nothing-to-lose attitude into the clash.
‘‘We’re probably going in as underdogs,’’ Fisher said.
‘‘I’ve played against a few of the Lake boys so I know them pretty well, but the rest of the boys don’t know much about them.
‘‘There a very good side and they’re going to be tough to beat, but we’re going into the game with no fear.
‘‘We’re just going to go out there and, if we perform to our ability, hopefully it’s enough to get the win.
‘‘Whatever happens from here is a bonus, but I think they’re good enough that anything can happen.’’
Corrimal earned the quarter-final slot at the expense of Illawarra rivals Port Kembla, Uni and competition leaders Balgownie, and Fisher believes it is an encouraging sign for the future of the club in just its second season in the Illawarra’s top flight.
‘‘This is only our second season back in first grade,’’ Fisher said.
‘‘The average age of our first-grade side is probably 20, so they’re a bunch of kids.
‘‘Last year was a big challenge and we ended up making the semis and it just got better and better.
‘‘Balgownie are probably going to go on and win the comp or go close so to beat them to get through was very pleasing.
‘‘We’re struggling a bit in the two-day comp this year, we’re down the bottom, but in saying that we’re now competing in the top eight sides of NSW Country, so that’s really pleasing in that regard.’’
Should they defeat Lake Illawarra today, Corrimal will play again at Croome Road tomorrow for a berth in the Cup final at the SCG on January 12.
Fisher admits it’s a hell of a carrot for his young side.
‘‘It’s every kid’s dream to play at the SCG,’’ he said.
‘‘That’s still a couple of games away, but if we can get to the SCG it would be a dream come true.’’