Peel Cricket Association grand final preview

The top two sides throughout the majority of the regular season, both come into the game on hot form looking to hoist a flag.

Here’s the low down ahead of the big game.

The Singleton Irwinians were automatically inserted into a grand final spot after rain washed out their qualifying match against Waroona.

Their first-place finish ensured they moved on, while Waroona had to overcome a spirited Shoalwater Bay outfit in a preliminary final on Sunday.

It’s hard to split the two based on previous form. Waroona came into the finals on a rampage and hasn’t lost since round 14, while Singleton lost just three games on the entire season.

The match looms as a tight one, and even a minor collapse in either side’s batting order could see their premiership dream slip away.

Waroona’s Jayden Derosa has had a terrific season and was crowned the A-grade’s champion player on Monday night.

His knock of 89 against Shoalwater Bay was a game-winner and his early wicket will be a priority for Singleton.

But Derosa has many teammates Singleton will need to keep tabs on as well.

Ben Wright managed just one run in the preliminary final, but he’s had a strong season and was named in the A-grade team of the year for a reason. 

Oddly enough, for a team that finished first and sat on top of the ladder for most of the year, Singleton had no entries in the PCA’s team of the year.

Perhaps that speaks to how much they work as a team themselves, but Ian Bowes has had a lethal last round of the regular season with the ball and could limit Waroona’s firepower with the bat.

He finished with three wickets coming at the cost of a mere eight runs from nine overs.

The weather may have washed out the qualifying final and threatened the elimination final last weekend, but Saturday’s forecast is a mostly sunny 27 degrees.

Patches of cloud are expected, but rain should not threaten the match (touch wood).

Lark Hill 1, Saturday, 12.15pm