By Doug Barnes

The Grand Final line up has been cemented after two cracking games of T20 cricket at the Mud Pit last weekend.

The race for the finals had the Port Royals taking on the Reef Raiders and the Four Mile Falcons looking to end the B Team Blasters season.  The first game saw the Falcons take on the Blasters in the first afternoon game of the season.  The Blasters avoided the heat and batted first, never looking confident at the wicket.  Apart from Randal (22) and Ben Shrimpton (18) no one really troubled the scorers, the B Team limping to a gettable 112.  Timmy O (2 for 4) and Bender (2 for 15) bowled well for the falcons.

The run chase never looked great for the Falcons with wickets falling at regular intervals with some great fielding from the Blasters.  The lower order of Kenny (18) and Harry (12) looked like they could stage a late comeback to win the game but fell perilously close, all out for 102 in the last over.  The bowling honours shared among the Blasters.

In the night game, the Raiders batted first, starting in an emphatic fashion and looked to be headed towards a score in excess of 200 for the second week in a row. Chicka (33no), Pete (24) and Adam (34no) started well but the lower order failed to capitalise, the Rugby lads ending up with a 128 off their 20 overs.  KB (1 for 3) and Dave (1 for 11) restricting the Raiders.

The hard training Royals started positively with KB (16), Luke (17) and Dave (16) all making solid starts.  It was Johnny Caswell though who guided the Royals to victory, his well compiled 36 pushing the Royals over the line in the last over in a great finish. Chicka and Adam with his big turning Wrong-uns were the best of the Raiders bowlers.

The Grand Final will be played at 6.00pm this Saturday night and will be a great game with the Blasters looking to make amends for their two losses to the Royals this season and the Royals confident at taking the silverware for the first time.  Head on down to the Mud Pit to get behind your team, listen to great tunes and have a cold drink to beat the heat.