CRICKET
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CAVALIERS are undeniable favourites in Friday night’s Royal Hotel Cup semi-final at Wade Park, but Orange City vice-captain Jackson Coote remains confident his side can cause an upset and claim the first place in the 2015-16 Twenty20 decider.
A win would be a pretty nice birthday present for the gangly left-armer too.
Celebrating his 24th birthday on Friday, Coote said he’s certain the Warriors can find the consistency they’ve lacked in the group stages and trump the undefeated maroons at the same time.
“It definitely would be a nice present, but I’m more concerned with getting a spot in the final,” Coote said.
“The last time we played Cavaliers in this form of the game was the 2013-14 grand final and they beat us, so it’ll be a good challenge for us.
“We need to be working as one really, our attitude and intensity needs to lift and we can’t get down on ourselves if something goes wrong, we just need to work hard to keep the momentum in our favour.”
The Warriors won two of their three group stage games and thumped Cowra last start, while Cavaliers never looked like losing in the preliminary games, finishing their pool fixtures with an upset victory over reigning champions CYMS last week.
In that game Josh Doherty proved himself as a death bowler, snaring the game-defining wicket of Mick Delaney late in CYMS’ chase.
In an ominous message for Orange City though, and the other semi-finalists in CYMS and Centrals, Doherty said his side can improve dramatically from last week’s victory.
“It was a huge win for us, but it was far from our best performance,” Doherty said.
“In nearly every game we’ve lost wickets in bunches and it’s almost cost us dearly, so we can improve there.
“But our bowling has been strong, it saved us against CYMS. That, and knowing we can improve with the bat gives us confidence, and (last week’s win gives us) momentum heading into this game.
“Orange City are tough though, they love big games. We need to be on.”
Cavaliers and Orange City lock horns at Wade Park from 6.30pm.
CAVALIERS: Richie Venner (c), Chris Martin, Greg Martin, Matt Corben, John Warrington, Will Currall, Brad Wright, Scott Kennedy, Josh Doherty, Stu Middleton, Tom Aggett, Mark Maybin.
ORANGE CITY: Dave Boundy (c), Jackson Coote, Matt Findlay, Ben Findlay, Shaun Grenfell, Chris Warren, Craig Rogan, Andrew Rutledge, Josh Cheney, Dave Langston, Jason Beasley, Adam Cowden
