Semi-finals
Second grade failed to make the grand final as they finished in third spot, so with last weekend’s washout, they don’t go through.
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First grade will be relying upon the grounds to dry out to get a start. More rain or showers are predicted towards the end of the week and it will not take much to have council close Johnny Martin Oval again. Perhaps the MRDCA fixtures committee could use their powers and consider a suitable reserve ground, if one is available.
The Wingham team is led by Matt Essery, with Josh Davis, Ben Scowen, Mick and Grahame Stinson, Hayden Essery, Ryan Williams, Brad Staff, Wayne Smoothy, Brock Hynes, Ryan Morris, Steve Allwood and Dan Barber. Play commences at 1pm Saturday and 10am Sunday.
Wingham third grade will have the chance on Saturday to win their fourth premiership in a row. They will play United in the decider, who they were up against last year as well, which finished in a tie.
Wingham finished fifth in the season proper, three games outside the top four, so therefore are playing in the second tier of the competition for the finals.
The side’s fielding let them down throughout the year with a total of no less then 56 dropped catches. The old adage that catches win matches certainly held true this season.
The season finished well, winning three of the last four matches, so they go into the final with some form behind them. They will be looking to the experience of Bruce Bird and Scott Blanch with the ball, and Farron Saxby, Jade Stace and Mark Thompson with the bat. With a blend of youth Hudson Bird, Brody Guppy and Clancy Johston under-16s and Blake Thompson under-14 and older players (more the older), the catching and fielding will need to be spot on.
If the side plays to their full potential they can go on to claim the title. But it won’t be easy as all other encounters with United have been close affairs.
The squad for the final is Scott Blanch, Bruce Bird, Mark Thompson, Farron Saxby, Gary Crieghton, Daryl Johnston, Jade Stace, Hudson Bird, Brody Guppy, Kristian Guppy, Clancy Johnston, Blake Thompson, Jody Johston, Dave Abbott, Paul Manny, Nathan Butler, Daryl Irvine and John Delaney.