Junior cricket competitions begin to enter the finals this week with some exciting matches set to take place.
The under 17s O’Donoghue Shield’s finals have been moved forward a day to accommodate for the switch the headspace AFL match for mental health to be held at East Gambier on Friday night.
The two days will be played on Wednesday and Thursday, instead of Thursday Friday.
West Gambier is the only side to not qualify for the finals having failed to win a match during the season.
The first semi final will be played at Frew Park as first place Millicent battle it out with fourth placed Mil Lel for a spot in the grand final the next week.
The winner of the first semi final will face the winner of the second semi final between second placed East Gambier and third placed South Gambier.
The second semi final is set to be a game of great intrigue with South and East both registering a win against each other during the season.
Mil Lel however faces an uphill battle with their opposition having a dominant season so far as they are still yet to taste defeat.
The finals will be a great opportunity for the best young players to show their skill against the best sides in the competition.
Each side will have key players that could have a big impact on the result of the game.
For Millicent they will rely on Kallan Bevan who currently sits third in the league for batting.
East Gambier’s Angus Clarke will be sure to have a big impact on their game against South as he is currently second for bowling and batting in the league, averaging an impressive 38.75.
Noah Virtanen has impressed with the ball this season as he is the leading wicket taker for the competition.
If he can bowl a good spell perhaps his side can cause an upset against Mil Lel.
For South Gambier Elwood Geary is an important player.
Geary recently put in a remarkable performance in the Big Bash final taking three wickets and playing well beyond his years.
He sits fourth for runs and ninth for wickets in the under 17s competition this year.
The games will be an enthralling contest between some exciting prospects for the senior sides as the players try to prove they can perform under pressure.
