Titles on line for grand foes
Palm Beach aims to play spoiler against powerful Mudgeeraba
They battled for 10 rounds to make it all the way to the grand final.
Now there can only be one winner from each grade.
In Premier First Grade, Mudgeeraba have been the best team all season, maintaining top spot for majority of the season.
But they will come up against one of its biggest rivals and a team hungry for success.
PREMIER FIRST GRADE Mudgeeraba v Palm Beach
Last time they met:
Round 7 – Palm Beach 5-243 defeated Mudgeeraba 9-230
The only time these two juggernauts have faced off this season was during the one day format of the season.
Palm Beach captain Cody Durante led the way with bat, smashing 85 not out from 70 balls.
He was supported strongly by playing-coach James Mcneil who finished on 62 not out from 47 balls and opener Brent Anderson who notched up 58 from 48 balls.
In Mudgeeraba’s run chase, Dayne Siede continued his form early in the season with 75 with support from Luke Smith’s 40 from 45 balls.
But it was enough as Ruben Groenewald picked up game
high 4-28 from 8 overs for Palm Beach to win the round seven clash.
WHAT THE CAPTAINS HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE FINAL:
Mudgeeraba – Howard Biddle
“We just need to worry about what we can do,” Biddle said.
“If we play to the standard and the process we want to play to, the result will take care of itself.”
Game breaker – Dayne Siede
Biggest threat – Cody Durante and James Mcneil
“Both Cody and James are really good players.”
Palm Beach – Cody Durante
“Just to try and continue our form from the two dayers,” Durante said.
“Just gaining momentum and just doing what we do right and just controlling what we
can control. That’s our main focus.”
Game breaker – Jared Neuhaus or Finn Lonnberg
“(Jared) Neuhaus up the top, he is the big one for us.
“Or Finn (Lonnberg) with the ball. Hopefully they can be the one’s to win the game.”
Biggest threat – Dayne Siede
“Haven’t really looked at their team too much, he is up there in the runs though.”
In Premier Second Grade, nothing could split Mudgeeraba and Helensvale at the end of the 10 rounds.
Helensvale have hit their straps perfectly as they time a run into the finals for two-day cricket but they will travel to Mudgeeraba to take on a side in front of a home crowd and looking to make it two wins on the day from Mudgeeraba.
PREMIER SECOND GRADE Mudgeeraba v Helensvale
Last time they met:
Round 2 – Helensvale 9-283 defeated Mudgeeraba 7-281 (one day game)
Mudgee set Helensvale a massive score in round two with skipper Harry Maher (79 from 41 balls) and fellow opener Lucas Poeppmann (51 from 33 balls) getting them off to a flyer.
Lachlan King continued on with the aggressive batting with 72 not out from 62 balls.
Helensvale bowler Oliver Hawkins picked up 4-59 from 8 overs. In reply, Helenvale lost 2-7 early but Paul Baird went at more than a run-a-ball 57 from 51 balls.
But it was the lower order, led by captain Alexander Hayes who got them over the line. Hayes top scored with 71 from 54 balls with support around him from the lower order.
The clubs also met in round 13 in the two day format – Helensvale 10-183 defeated Mudgeeraba 10-50 and 0-1.
WHAT THE CAPTAINS HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE FINAL:
Mudgeeraba – Harry Maher
”Score more runs,” Maher joked.
“If everyone just does their job then things will work out pretty good.”
Game breaker – Joshua Wilson or Lucas Poeppmann
“Both with the bat, one with the ball.
“Cam Sinfield is another with the ball.”
Biggest threat – Michael Taylor
“It just depends if he plays, he is their run scorer but also their 40s captain.” Helensvale – Alex Hayes “Just speaks for itself, getting their best bat (Harry Maher) out early,” Hayes said.
“Just being tight and bowling to what we have done because we’ve got probably four of the top five leading wicket takers.
“Its probably one of the better attacks going up against the better bats of the comp.”
Game breaker – Cole Turner “With his ability to bat and bowl, and to be able to just knuckle down and go from there.”
Biggest threat – Harry Maher