HELENSBURGH will host their first Cricket Illawarra finals match, as the stakes are raised in a crucial weekend double-header.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With a shot at the minor premiership on the line against Dapto on Saturday, Helensburgh will return to Rex Jackson Oval on Sunday to meet big-hitting Balgownie in a Twenty20 semi-final.
It comes after the Tigers finished unbeaten through the group stages, having beating Corrimal and Northern Districts in the final round.
“It’s the first time the we’ve hosted a finals game up here, so that’s pretty exciting in itself,” captain Mitch McCrae said.
“But we know Bally will be tough on Sunday, they’ve got a lot of guys who can hit and take the game away from you if they get going.”
McCrae has been in sublime form this season, with two centuries and three 50s, including an unbeaten 57 against Corrimal last Saturday. He has piled on 486 runs in the two formats to average 97.2.
“I feel like I’m hitting them pretty well, but Twenty20 is a different game, it’s really just about getting the team off to a good start to post a decent score,” he said.
Before chasing a place in the Twenty20 final, the Tigers have business to take care of in a one-day showdown against ladder leaders Dapto.
Victory would open the door to winning the minor premiership, but McCrae was just intent on qualifying for the top four.
“If we win, it just about makes sure we’ll play finals,” he said.
“So hopefully we can do that and then look towards where we finish.”
The Dapto battle is also an annual fundraiser for the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
On a slow pitch at Hollymount Park hosting Australian Country Championships matches, Helensburgh made 109 rolled the Butchers for 98 in 17.2 overs, Steve Blissenden taking 4-22. Earlier, McCrae blasted 57 as the Tigers reeled in Corrimal’s 8-105 with nine balls to spare, sealing their finals place.
Balgownie only booked their finals place on Saturday, as Maciu Gauna smashed 75 in a totlal of 7-173, then restricting Wests to 9-132.
In the other Twenty20 match, Uni meet Wollongong at University Oval.
Having already beaten Dapto in a one-day match to keep their season alive, Uni moved into the Twenty20 finals unbeaten with a thumping eight-wicket win at Reed Park. Coach Mitch Calder was 57 not out, while Rob Lane scored 42. Wollongong edged out Northern Districts on net run rate.
- ILLAWARRA
One-day matches (Saturday, 12pm)
HELENSBURGH v DAPTO at Rex Jackson Oval, UNIVERSITY v PORT KEMBLA at University Oval, WESTS v BALGOWNIE at Figtree Oval, NORTHERN DISTRICTS v CORRIMAL at Hollymount Park, WOLLONGONG v KEIRA at North Dalton Park.
Twenty20 semi-finals (Sunday, 1.30pm)
HELENSBURGH v BALGOWNIE at Rex Jackson Oval, UNIVERSITY v WOLLONGONG at University Oval.
Final: Sunday, January 29 at North Dalton Park.
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
