Kurri Weston captain Tyler Power feels his side is in the best possible position to turn around three straight semi-final losses in the Maitland and District Cricket Association first grade competition.
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Kurri Weston have fallen agonisingly short of grand final appearances in three of the past four seasons since last making the decider in 2010-2011, but six wins on the trot to round out this summer has Power confident in his side’s credentials.
“We’re in pretty good shape at the moment and it’s going along a lot better than other seasons,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.
“We’ve lost our last three semis, but the best thing is our form because we’ve been able to win from different positions.
“We’ve chased, we’ve set scores, we’ve ground it out and we’ve blasted teams off the park, which has been good for us.”
Kurri Weston enjoyed the bye last round but will go into this weekend’s semi-final clash with Western Suburbs at Lorn Park unchanged.
This squad includes player of the year favourite Michael Heinrich, the district’s leading run scorer Jake Gordon, talented all-rounder Steve Abel, the ever-dangerous Josh Tuckwell and reliable performer Jack Bennett.
“We go in unchanged because everyone is available, which is a bonus,” Power said.
“Heiny has come good for us after Christmas and is key in the batting order, Jake just hits the ball so clean, Steve has turned a corner during the last three weeks, Tucky is going super and Jack has been really solid.”
Western Suburbs will also field a strong squad on Saturday and Sunday with Aaron Mahony, Luke Merchant, Mitch Fisher, Michael Rees and skipper Andrew Trappel set to be among the key men as the Plovers push for their first premiership since 2011-2012.
Wests won last start against Raymond Terrace and finished level with Kurri Weston on 49 competition points but earned second place based on a superior quotient.
In the other semi-final at Robins Oval two-time defending premiers Northern Suburbs will be without six-time title winner and veteran all-rounder Terry Humphreys (work commitments) for their clash with City United.
Paterson 14-year-old Will Fort fills the void after returning from representative duties, which included a national schoolboys title last weekend, while Jordan Callinan comes in for Dave Currey.
City are at full strength as they look to add grand final glory to their minor premiership and club championship trophies.
Both matches start at 12.30pm.