THE semi-finals for the Inverell Cricket Association begin this weekend and it shapes as one of the most intriguing finals series in years.

In first grade minor-premiers and title favourites Staggy Creek will be looking to book their place in the grand final when they play Bundarra at Varley Oval from 2.30pm on Saturday.

The last time these two sides met, Staggy Creek were dismissed cheaply but still had enough class to claim an outright win over their inconsistent rivals.

The key to the game will be Bundarra’s batting line-up that for most of the season has failed to fire. If ever there came a time for Bundarra to put it altogether one would suspect it would be in a game of this importance.

To do so they will need solid foundations from the top order especially Josh Cook who has the propensity to tear apart any attack on his day.

Still, Staggy Creek are minor premiers for a reason.

They have great batting and bowling depth and can do the job in either discipline with aplomb. Bundarra can testify to that. Expect a much closer contest than previous battles between these two sides though Staggy look good.

In the other match the Campbell and Freebairn Rebels will take on third-placed Royal Rats. This game is the pick of the round as there is not much between the two sides on paper however the Rebels have managed to find consistency over the duration of the summer. That consistency should see them home.

The key player for this game is undoubtedly Dave Mudaliar, who by most definitions is one of the better cricketing prospects this town has to offer. His 177 not out earlier in the year was as a good an innings as one could ever hope to see at this level and if he fires then the Rats will be finished for 2010. The match will start at 1pm at McCosker 2.

Second grade games will see the first-place Tingha team take on Square and Compass at Tingha from 1pm in what should be a win for the Tinghans while Delungra will take on the fading Ashford side at Delungra from 1pm also.

© 2010 Inverell Times

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