RIVAL coach Geoff Williams says Russells Creek deserves to start favourite in tomorrow’s Warrnambool and District Cricket Association under 17 grand final at Reid Oval.
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Creek is aiming for a hat-trick of under 17 premierships after a dominant season when it clashes with Nestles Maroon.
Williams said his side’s record of just two losses, both before Christmas, was second only to Creek’s unbeaten stretch this season.
Williams said the defending premier had been the standout side in the competition with 10 of tomorrow’s 13 players earning division one Country Week honours during the season.
But his Maroon side boasts eight Country Week representatives at under 15 and under 17 level.
While Creek is the hot favourite, Williams said Nestles Maroon was the only side to push the powerhouse team during the season.
After making 118, Maroon reduced Creek to 8-56 before Jacob Buxton (44) and Sam Younghusband (75) combined for a match-winning 76-run stand as they finished with 180.
“If we put them under pressure both bowling and fielding, we’ll see what they are really like,” Williams said.
He said his side had great respect for Creek, which batted down to number 11 and in the field had 11 capable bowlers.
Nestles, which four years ago had to merge with Brierly-Christ Church just to field an under 17 side, is chasing its first premiership in the grade since a young Tim Ludeman was part of its 2000-01 triumph.
Russells Creek coach Andrew Thomson said Nestles had been the side to beat all season. But he revealed talented all-rounder Liam Brown would be returning from school in Melbourne to take his place in the side.
“Last time we played them we were 8-56 chasing 118 and we were lucky to scrape through with a win,” Thomson said.
“They have an outstanding bowling attack led by Max Hannah who has taken 17 wickets in division one and the association’s leading junior all-rounder Jake Hetherington.
“Jake is a bowling all-rounder who has also scored 361 runs at an average of 72 in under 17s this season. Nestles bats very deep with Caleb Bidmade also making 343 runs at 57. Caleb was outstanding in the semi-final with a game turning 43. Jake guided his side to a win with 29 not out.”
Tomorrow’s 45-over a side game starts at 10am.