THE LAST time Pomborneit played a final it was the 2013-14 South West Cricket decider.
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The Bulls return to finals action against Mortlake – the team that defeated them to claim the division one flag – on Saturday.
Only Dave Murphy, Brad Hillman, Matthew Bignell and Stephen Walters remain from the Pomborneit side that walked onto Camperdown’s S A Wright Oval four years ago.
Murphy said he was eager to be back playing finals cricket.
“It's been a few years since we have made the finals and we are excited to be back in there,” the Bulls gloveman said.
“I have definitely missed it, that's why you play cricket to get to and play in finals and it's always great to make them.”
Murphy said that Mortlake, which still contains 2013-14 premiership players Todd Lamont (still captain), Shane Slater, Tyler Schafer, Clinton Baker, Kyle McDonald and Todd Robertson, was not a side to be taken lightly.
“They are very experienced at playing finals and they have a very good side,” the former captain said.
“We have a few blokes in our side who haven't played many or any senior finals, so it will be a good experience for those guys as well.
“They are young and enthusiastic and that can work in our favour.
“One thing with finals they are a good leveller and anything can happen, as it only takes one guy to make a few runs or get a few wickets.”
Murphy highlighted that a good start with the ball and ball was critical for the Bulls’ chances of defeating the Cats on Saturday.
“The last few times we have played them we have got those early wickets, but we haven't been able to break those fourth and fifth-wicket partnerships,” the opener said.
“Getting those early wickets and following up by getting those critical middle order batsmen out, without letting them get too settled in is the key.
“Then with the bat we have to just see off their bowlers and grind out those singles.”
Pomborneit is coming into finals with two wins, two losses and one draw (weather) in its last five matches, while Mortlake enters in red-hot form with four wins and one draw.
In the other South West Cricket semi-final, Heytesbury takes on Bookaar at Terang Turf to book at spot in the decider the week after. Both sides have been in even form lately, with only Bookaar losing a match in the past five weeks.
The final is shaping up as a battle of the Simons, with Heytesbury’s Simon Harkness and Bookaar’s Simon Baker both in strong form with the bat. Harkness has scored 20, 47, 139 and 70 in the past four weeks, while Baker has similar scores of 12, 65, 109 and 88.