Swans, Snakes primed to attack one-day final

The one-day final and the conclusion of the first round of two-day matches tells all Division 1 teams that the focus now is on points for just one format leading up to the grand final.

Maroochydore captain Blaine Schloss will lead his charges into the one-day final against Caboolture this weekend. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The one-day final and the conclusion of the first round of two-day matches tells all Division 1 teams that the focus now is on points for just one format leading up to the grand final.

Only two sides, Maroochydore and Caboolture take the field at Grant Road on Sunday, battling for the One-Day Cup, which will be the fifth time in the last eight years that the

Snakes and Swans have met in the limited overs decider, with Caboolture holding a 3-1 lead so far.

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But, Swans supporters can look to their side’s possession of all three trophies from last season as a sign that the old guard may be changing.

Caboolture batsman Glen Batticciotto won’t play in the one-day final due to injury. Picture: Warren Lynam

A factor in Maroochydore’s favour is the absence of Glen Batticciotto and Jayden Coffin, who played together in the first five OD rounds, and contributed 57 per cent of the runs off the bat in those games.

Both are sidelined with leg injuries, reducing the dominance that sparked the Snakes’ OD campaign, demonstrated by their loss to Tewantin in the final round when neither was present.

But the home side has Mitch Lee, whose 20 wickets at 6.7 was the outstanding performance of the series, leading the attack.

Early breakthroughs, plus the aura of the Snakes’ home of many triumphs, and a partisan Caboolture audience could apply added pressure, especially with Swans followers spread all over the Coast while the club contests finals in all six divisions, a huge achievement.

On Saturday, the closing of the first 2D round brings opportunity for major points at Glasshouse and Caloundra.

Glasshouse batsman Daniel Cahill on the attack. Picture: Warren Lynam

At Hingst Oval, Glasshouse ended the first day on 2/161, with Dan Cahill on 97, already in surplus of Nambour’s 136.

A healthy hitout before lunch could see the Cutters back at the crease in the early afternoon, needing much more resistance with the bat.

Caboolture missed an opportunity to press home the advantage against Caloundra after reaching the Lighthouses’ 100 no wickets down, then dawdling with 15 runs in the last 10

overs closing at 1/129.

A positive thrust could have added another 50 to the tally, possibly crucial if time is lost on day two or the home side perseveres longer at the crease second time round.

But on the current game context, the Snakes should snare maximum points.

Gympie will decide whether to bat on or declare after grafting 6/211 from 98 overs at Manthie Oval against Coolum, and Lewis Waugh should look at the deck and decide whether the Sharks, who have passed 200 just once their short career, can match it.

The Gold are fifth on the ladder, and need to make up points on fourth spot, which will probably be Tewantin or Maroochydore.

Coolum’s Tim Hynes will return from injury. Picture: Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

This could lead to an early call-in and search for wickets and the outright win in a run-chase, or he could consider that Tim Hynes plus Sam Curtis, the man whose century manufactured Coolum’s highest score, are both back from injury.

In either case the Gold’s points will be determined by its bowlers.

The closest result of the four should be at Kev Hackney Oval, where Maroochydore is defending 110 when Tewantin-Noosa resumes at 5/64.

The Swans, probably from necessity, are experts at defending low scores by whittling away with an accurate attack, with four bowlers in the top 10.

The experience of incumbent batsmen Jarrod Office and Dom Taylor is a bonus for the visitors, making a result likely to be stretched out to close to lunch.

The loser here should be passed by Glasshouse for fourth position.

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