By the numbers, GBHS will go into the game as slight favourites. They have the best batsman in the competition this season in Graham Sharp. He has 685 runs with an average of 62.67, which is the highest in the premier competition.
Statistically, Boys’ High also have the most successful premier grade bowler left in the competition. Josiah Turner has taken 27 wickets in his 16 appearances, four short of Horouta’s Parminder Kulaar’s 21 in 17 games.
OBR don’t have as many players on top of the table in terms of their statistics, but what they do have is depth in their line-up.
Anyone in their playing 11 can change the game’s course at any moment, as evidenced by Cody Andrews’ five wickets in 10 deliveries last weekend.
Cricket can be a brutal game, with a six-hour game sometimes boiling down to one or two key moments. In a winner-take-all final, it will come down to who turns up to play on the day.
GBHS have had two decisive victories over OBR in rounds 1 and 4 of the DJ Barry Cup.
Boys’ High coach Mal Trowell said the team had trained hard this week and were looking forward to another final against OBR.
“We will be looking to be positive and keep playing an exciting brand of cricket, as we have done throughout,” Trowell said.
“We as a group are proud of the journey we have been on this season, making three finals.
“The men have stepped up and done a fine job. Their commitment and dedication have been awesome.”
OBR haven’t been able to field their strongest squad all competition. The possibility of a second finals win might be a strong incentive for players to move mountains to get to the Harry Barker Reserve.
Despite often fielding less than 11 players on game day, OBR have still cobbled together several strong performances that highlight their side’s strength, even when undermanned.
OBR stalwart Ian Loffler said they would have a full squad for tomorrow and he had “full confidence” in his team.
“The boys are ready for the challenge. It would be awesome to get the double.
“(There’s) plenty of experience to look to when we need it. We have to seize the moment and take our chances.”
The key to victory for OBR would be to play solid cricket and keep it simple, he said.
“Not giving our wickets away, taking our catches, bowling good lines. Finals are about applying pressure and being able to handle it.”
One interesting wrinkle is the Loffler family connection, with brothers Ian and Joe playing for OBR and Ian’s son Cohen playing for Boys’ High.
“Joe and I are keen to get one over Cohen,” Ian said.
“It will be a good little battle. It’s been awesome playing with Joe again and he’s added that composure to our batting.”
Nathan Trowell (c), Seb Wilson, Daniel Stewart, Luke Fisher, Adam Situ, Matthew Foster, Josiah Turner, Graham Sharp, Mal Trowell, Travis O’Rourke, Max Briant and Cohen Loffler.
Cody Andrews, Sam Patterson, Joe Loffler, Carl Carmody, Nick Greeks (c), Ian Loffler, Josh Adams, Jonathan Purcell, Matt Cook, Jimmy Holden, Josh Blair, Timoti Weir and Kieran Venema.
