CRICKET: The weather gods made and impact on Saturday as a disappointing preliminary final washout saw the Hay Park Redbacks advance to the LGM Industries Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association grand final by default.
Having finished higher on the ladder than their would-be opponents the Dalyellup Settlers, Hay Park advanced automatically after the rain affected match.
The Redbacks now gear up for a huge grand final match against the Collie Coalminers.
Collie finished on top of the BDCA ladder and defeated Hay Park in a close semi final to move onto the grand final.
After a slow start to the year the Coalminers gradually climbed the ladder, finding themselves on top and maintaining the spot.
Seth White has been a force all season for Collie averaging 26 runs a game and will be counted on in the big game along with fellow key batsmen Blair Malatesta, Jebb Swallow and Mark Williams.
For the Redbacks, players such as Ross Knoll, Ben Saunders, Jono Whitney and Chris Waddingham will be looked to for big performances.
The sides have met three times this year with Collie winning all three encounters.
Hay Park’s batting order has struggled against the Coalminers bowling attack.
Their highest total against Collie in the 2014/15 season has been 152, with their lowest being a mere 55.
Their closest encounter came in the semi final where Collie chased down Hay Park’s total of 143 with 3.2 overs remaining.
Hay Park will need to break the trend if they are to come away with a premiership.
The game will be held over two days at Roche Park in Collie this Saturday and Sunday.
