While the Haisman Shield season has hardly been a banner year for Old Students and Karramomus, the two clubs have reached the lower grade T20 final with one final chance at a trophy awaiting.
The final, set for Thursday evening at Kialla Park Reserve, promises to be a heavy-hitting spectacle.
Karramomus qualified for the decider with consummate ease, conceding four wickets in two successful run chases — all of which came in their first-round victory over Central Park.
The semi-final was where the Bloods shone brightest, eviscerating Invergordon's bowling stocks to the tune of a 10-wicket drubbing.
Opener Travis Guppy's stat sheet makes for eye-popping viewing, contributing 119 at a strike rate of more than 250 with eight fours and a gigantic haul of 13 sixes.
With 110 runs contributed off boundaries alone, Guppy is unquestionably the single biggest threat awaiting Old Students.
Captain Jeremy Lewis eagerly anticipates the challenge.
"It's quite exciting and all the boys have been looking forward to this week," Lewis said.
"When one batter gets on top of us, they've been up and about and not dropped their heads, which I've been really happy about.
"(Guppy) is fantastic when he plays conventional shots; he's a good batsman.
"It's a lovely thing to watch as a captain when someone up the top of the order can do that.
"I've got no doubt we'll make a decent score if we bat first and, if we bat second, we'll chase it down."
FIXTURE CHANGE
The Higher Grade T20 match between Central Park-St Brendan’s and Numurkah, slated for Thursday, February 22, has had a date change due to inclement weather affecting ground conditions. The match has been tentatively shifted to Thursday, February 29.
That said, Karramomus must be wary of one or two threats themselves.
Old Students also took a big scalp or two first up in comprehensively dumping Mooroopna courtesy of a splendid bowling display.
After dismissing the Cats for 66, Jayden Gagliardi's bat took centre stage in a 42-run semi-final victory over Katandra.
Gagliardi, who has found himself in some form across recent weeks, mashed to his heart's content with a rapid 95 highlighted by 10 fours and seven sixes.
Gino Saracino lavished the young talent with praise ahead of the decider.
"Jayden's a very good T20 player who loves playing with his mates," Saracino said.
"He's a very good fielder and enjoys being there, which usually reflects performance in any sport.
"It's just about what our other players can do to create winning opportunities because Guppy and (Andrew) Hawker are both dangerous players.
"Ryan (club captain Boswell) has picked a youth side with a little bit of experience; some of the guys who have committed to training all year have been rewarded.
"We're confident that as a strong fielding side, that could save 20 or 30 runs, and if we bat first we can post a score that's going to be defendable."
Play kicks off at 5.30pm at Kialla Park Reserve.
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