3rd Grade Final Preview

Sometimes in sport, the best teams throughout a season don't survive the pressure of semi finals and fail to make it to "the big show". Last year in the NRL, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Canterbury Bulldogs dominated the competition all year to finish joint minor premiers but were both eliminated before the Grand Final. The excitement of semi finals often has casualties and some might argue that the best teams sometimes crack under the pressure and reward a team who happened to be in better form on that day. Every now and then however, the best 2 teams of the season do make it through to the Grand Final, a fitting finale where the best, is separated from the rest. This is what will happen this week in the 3rd Grade Final as the best 2 teams will battle it out for glory.

In one corner, we have the University Books, the reigning champions, who have won the title for the last few seasons, and who have been the benchmark for years in the lower grades. For the last few years they have lost very few games, won all titles there are to win, and dominated the other teams with consummate ease. This year, University have shown once again that they are a powerhouse as they easily beat high flying teams such as Dapto and Keira, however, for the first time in a few years, did not have it all their own way.

In the other corner we have the Northern Districts Butchers, the new kids on the block, who have struggled in 3^rd grade for years, but are having a fairytale year, knocking off all teams on their way to winning the minor premiership and the one day title. Whilst the Butchers had put together a strong team, the result of the depth in the middle grades of the club, even the most optimistic would find it hard to envisage that they would have the chance to complete an undefeated season with a grand final win.

The Books have been there before, they know what it takes to win a 2 day title, and will be very hungry do continue their legacy in 3^rd grade as a premiership winning side. The Butchers however are still new to the pressures of finals cricket. Despite having some seasoned campaigners, there are many who have never won a major title, and most had never won any title until the one day title was won last month.

Just a few weeks back the two teams clashed for the only time this season in what many saw as a potential Grand Final preview. The Butchers dominated the match winning outright by an innings after cleaning up the Books for less than 90 on 2 occasions. The Books will be wary of the Butchers but surely out to prove they are better than the team that showed up that day. The Butchers on the other hand will take confidence from their dominating display but at the same time know that they will need to lift another gear if they are any chance of beating University again.

The Butchers have always known, that if they are to win the title, they would need to beat Uni, and are relishing the chance of taking the title from the defending premiers. There is an old saying in that "to be the man, you have to beat the man", and that's what the Butchers will have the chance to do this weekend. It is also known in sporting circles however that champion teams stand up to be countered when it matters, and University have showed many times they are a champion team, they will be out to prove this is still the case by winning yet another title.

The scene will be set for these 2 teams to battle it out, both teams are not represented in the 1^st or 2^nd grade final so support for both teams should be good. Keira Oval will play host to game, one of the most picturesque grounds will be a fitting backdrop to this enticing clash of the heavyweights. The old bull vs the new buck, the best 2 teams of the season and there can only be one winner, it sets the scene for a cracking game of cricket.

This article has been viewed 364 times!