BRIDGEWATER has become synonymous with football success over the past five years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now the town’s cricket club gets its shot at glory when it takes on Kingower in the Upper Loddon Cricket Association grand final, starting Saturday.
Bridgewater has been the clear standout side this season, finishing 16 points clear at the top of the ladder.
The Bulls lost just one game for the season, although, that was against their grand final opponents, Kingower, when beaten by 89 runs in round nine.
Among the X-factors for the Bulls will be all-rounder James Smith, who won the Upper Loddon’s Player of the Year award.
Strike bowler Lachlan Ross has had a consistent season with the ball, while Tom Dunham won the league batting average and will be a key wicket for Kingower.
Bridgewater won its last premiership in 2009 when it defeated Kingower, but has experienced some lean times since and almost folded several years ago.
Kingower is gunning for back-to-back flags after defeating Wedderburn in last year’s grand final.
Kingower has been led with the bat by Ben Rose (450 runs), David Rose (274), Tim Fishlock (254) and Rhys Roberts (201).
The two standout performers with the ball have been Roberts (24 wickets), who bagged 6-64 in last week’s 55-run semi-final win over Arnold, and Cameron Last (22).
The Upper Loddon grand final will be played at Bridgewater from 10.30am Saturday, Sunday and next Saturday.
Bridgewater team - Sam Harrison (c), Tom Dunham, Lachlan Ross, James Smith, Martin Leyden, Liam Ireland, Josh Haan, Alex Wharton, Jack Coghlan, Jake McLean, Lachlan Prest.
Kingower team - Tim Fishlock (c), Ben Rose, David Rose, James Essex, Rhys Roberts, Adam Murphy, Steve Donat, Simon Fishlock, Brett Wilson, Cameron Last, Braydon Welsh, Jeshua Botheras.