Experienced players could prove the difference in semi-finals
A SPECIAL performance from a key player could be the difference between Alstonville and Marist Brothers in the Far North Coast LJ Hooker League cricket semi-final today.
Wet weather could play a hand in the result but there is plenty of talent from Alstonville that could worry the second-placed Brothers at Oakes Oval, Lismore.
"In a semi-final you look for your top players to pull out a special performance,” Alstonville captain Steve Robb said.
"For us, that's probably Steve Mison and Greg Potter with the bat and Jason Caught with the ball.
"We've got a pretty strong bowling team but we're a bit like Pakistan with the bat, you never know what we're going to come up with.”
Caught has been a shining light in the team this year and finished the season as the top wicket taker in the competition with 39 wickets.
It is big effort considering he was ruled out with a back injury a few years ago and only started bowling more overs this season.
"A shorter run-up has helped his back and he is still a real handful with the ball,” Robb said.
"He's had a great year and when you can swing the ball like he does, you're always going to be a threat.”
Alstonville has had a good year across the board, with a mix of youth and experience.
"Most of the younger guys are in their second year now and 11 of the 12 are locals,” Robb said.
"There are four to five of us that have played over 150 games together, so it's great to be in a final with them.
"It's been a really good year across the board at the club and our second and fourth grades are both hosting grand finals.
"This would be the most juniors we've had (in Hooker League) and we were even a bit surprised at how well they've all gone.”
Meanwhile, defending premiers Cudgen will host Tintenbar-East Ballina in the other semi-final at Reg Dalton Oval, Kingscliff.
Cudgen thumped The Bar when the teams met in the one-day final last month and will be hard to beat again.
Top-order batsmen Abe Crawford, Luke Hamilton, Nathan Hoey and all-rounder Brett Crawford will be the key men for Tintenbar-East Ballina.
