In sport, much is made of the term 'form'. Players and teams are constantly in or out of form, and the 'in form' teams are expected to win, while the opposite is true for the 'out of form' teams.
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One less-used but equally important term is 'experience'. Experience the likes of which the Tatts Stags have in spades. And it was this quality which propelled the Stags to a semi-final win over Crookwell yesterday.
The Stags have had a middling season - three wins and three losses consigned them to third on the ladder - and they were up against a relatively inexperienced but red-hot Crookwell side at the Grange on Saturday.
The last time these two teams played in Crookwell, the home side claimed a gritty upset win. Since that meeting, Crookwell had beaten tournament favourites Hibo CC in the final round match of the season.
Before the start of play on Saturday, Crookwell won the toss and, in a decision that captain Jake Paterson may regret, elected to bowl first.
This choice was not unprecedented; the Grange possesses a notoriously unfriendly pitch for visiting batsmen. But that was not the case yesterday, as the Stags proceeded to pile on the runs.
Early in the first innings, Crookwell may have felt vindicated. Stags captain Simon Fitzsimmons opened the batting and was dismissed for 5.
His opening partner, Sam Woodberry, fell next to Crookwell medium-pacer Marty Travers, before Craig Fahey was out first ball to leave the score precarious at 3-37.
But when Dylan Maddock joined Aaron Grant at the wicket, the momentum of the game reversed sharply.
While Grant anchored the innings, Maddock took the attack to Crookwell and slashed his way to 66 from 42 deliveries, with four fours and three sixes. By the time he was dismissed, the fourth-wicket partnership had reached 113.
Grant (75) was the sixth batsman to fall, with the score at 166. After his dismissal, the tailenders batted resolutely and propelled the Stags to a total of 9-211 from their 40 overs.
In response, Crookwell fought back with intent, but lost wickets at consistent intervals.
Shane Wilson opened the bowling for the visitors, and claimed a season-best haul of 4-39 from 7.2 overs.
He was aided by the evergreen Andrew Tivey, who was the second-highest wicket-taker for the Stags with 3-33.
In the end, Crookwell was dismissed for 149 from 32.2 overs. The Stags are now through to another First Grade grand final, where they will face the Hibo Cricket Club.
While the Stags played well to upset Crookwell, they will need to produce their best cricket for a chance to fell Hibo.
The combined Hibo side has been utterly dominant in 2020/21, with five wins and just the solitary loss. However, that loss came in the final round of the year against Crookwell. It remains to be seen how the defending champions will bounce back after an extended break following their first defeat.
The Tatts Stags and Hibo Cricket Club will face off in the First Grade grand final this Saturday, March 13, from 1pm.
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