The equation is simple for both the Castlereagh Hornets and the Bob Berry Blasters – win on Friday night or its season over.
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The two sides play their penultimate McDonald’s Megahit regular season match against each other at No. 1 Oval knowing only a win will guarantee finals cricket.
We’ll give it a go and have a bit of fun and if we win it's a bonus.
- Mitch Bower
But despite the pressure and do-or-die nature of the match, Hornets captain Mitch Bower says his side will continue to play its relaxed and fun brand of Twenty20 cricket.
The Hornets’ Megahit sides this season have bveen vastly different to the team which steps out each Saturday in the RSL-Whitney Cup.
Young players have got a chance but the hallmark of the side’s season has been the return of a number of old South Dubbo players.
The likes of Aaron Etcell, Rodney Morrison, Richie Richardson and many more have returned to the fold and Bower said it has been a real success.
“Everyone loves it. They’re all good blokes and everyone gels well and has some fun,” he said, before speaking about Friday’s team.
“We’re picking a young side, we’ve got a few away, so a few blokes will get a chance.
“We’ll give it a go and have a bit of fun and if we win it’s a bonus.”
While having plenty of fun is a real focus for the Hornets, that doesn’t mean the side won’t be trying against the Blasters.
The Colts side has battled for consistency for much of the season but still possess a number of real game-changers with both bat and ball.
“They’ve been the benchmark for a few years,’ Bower said of the RSL-Colts club.
“We’re going to have to play some good cricket to beat them.”
Bower will be key to that, as will the likes of fellow batsmen Adam Wells, Greg Rummans and Mat Finlay.
Bower confirmed Etcell will play again while Jarrod Simpson is also a chance to figure.
For Colts, it will be the regular customers who pose the biggest threat.
The likes of Jason Ryan, Greg Buckley, Wes Giddings, Chris Morton and Marty Jeffrey lead the way with the bat while there is a huge number of options with the ball for Buckley to call on.
The Amaroo Hotel Tigers are the only side guaranteed to play Megahit finals, while Bluey’s Meats sit second on five points.
Both the Hornets and Blasters are on four points, as are the Christies Crackerjacks, who play the winless Western Plains Automotive Cougars next week.
Play starts 6.30am.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
