NORTH Tamworth are hoping to complete an unbeaten one- day season when they take on Old Boys in tonight’s Tamworth Second Grade One Day Final at No 1 Oval.
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Old Boys have sides in all four grade finals, although after first grade missed out for the third time straight against Bective last Friday night the Redbacks are out to see that the trend continues.
North have recorded four wins and four draws in a rain- marred season, while Old Boys have only been beaten once in their four encounters, a 105-run loss to Bective in round nine, but have otherwise been setting big totals with a strong top order.
The Redbacks deserve their spot in the final after a one day season that has only seen the side lose 20 wickets all up, while scoring over 800 runs.
They also boast the best defence, with only 602 runs scored against them, opposed to Old Boys who have had a competition-high 934, although they have taken the most wickets with 45, eight more than their opponents.
Paul Pittman has been the linchpin of the Redbacks’ batting order at first drop but has been unlucky not to notch up a milestone, with three innings ending in the high 40s and another at 39 during the rounds.
Don Lewington has also been chipping in with the bat, scoring 66 and a 45 not out in the last two one-dayers, and will be coming into the final in good nick after scoring a 105 not out in the first innings of a two-day match last weekend against Bective.
Old Boys will be looking to rely on their bowling unit to negate the Redback batsmen, with the likes of Brad Walters, James Austin and Brad Ibrahim all capable of taking big wickets, while Paul Abra could be key with the bat.
Abra has scored 190 in the three one-day matches he has batted in this season, with a best of 84 against South Tamworth in the opening match, followed by a 72 against West Tamworth before Christmas and a 34 against Bective last month.
Overall he has scored over 300 runs this season with an average that just eclipses the 50 mark.
The second grade one day final will get underway at 5pm tonight at No 1 Oval.
OLD BOYS: Mal Collier, Tim Swan, Rob Chase, Brad Walters, Brendan Chaffey, Clark Geary, Paul Abra, Brett Fisher, Matt Bryant, Brad Ibrahim, James Austin, Brian Watson.
