UGSCA 2023-24: Wandering looking to break grand final hoodoo and win maiden A-grade title against Williams

Minor premiers Wandering are full of confidence according to captain Bailey Parsons as they look to secure their maiden Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade title against Williams on Saturday. Wandering earned the right to host the decider after smashing their grand final opponents by eight wickets in the qualifying final on Saturday. The two must face off again for a chance at glory after Williams recaptured their best form defeating Towns by five wickets in the preliminary final on Sunday. After losing the decider in 2021-22 and 2019-20 followed by an early exit in the preliminary final last season, Wandering are seeking to etch their name onto a historical maiden A-grade premiership. Though confident after their ladder-topping campaign, Parsons believes controlling their nerves holds the key to ensuring they do not suffer the same fate as their recent postseason woes. “We’re obviously confident going into the game that we’ve got a side that can win it but obviously it’ll come down to the team that can control their nerves and take opportunities that will take the decider,” he said. “It’ll mean a lot, this will be our first A-grade premiership in the Upper Great Southern competition, we’ve been thereabouts for the last four or five years, but we’ve never been quite been able to get there. “We’re very excited to get the opportunity and showcase the final in Wandering. “We should have everyone available this weekend which is probably a first for the season, there might be one or two changes just through availability from last Saturday, but it’ll be a pretty similar 11 or 12.” Williams boast competition star Rodney Ford, who has amassed 571 runs at an average of 63 this season while Garth Nottle (283 runs) will also be vital with the bat. The combination of Rodney Ford and Riley Ford with the ball will also be crucial for Williams, the pair combining for 40 wickets this season. The highly anticipated grand final starts at noon in Wandering on Saturday. In the UGSCA B-grade competition Harrismith were six wicket winners of the qualifying final against Boddington on Saturday to progress directly in the decider. Kukerin-Dumbleyung chased down 110 with three wickets in hand to knock out Towns in the elimination final also on Saturday. Boddington will host Kukerin-Dumbleyung in this Saturday’s preliminary final.