BDCA 2023: Plenty on the line ahead of final BDCA home and away weekend

The 2022-23 Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association regular season reaches its climax on Saturday, with the final round of home and away matches being fought out. Justin Fris takes a look at who is flying heading into the finals across all grades. First grade Contenders: League leaders Leschenault have set the tone so far, having not dropped a game. But will this form be replicated in the finals? Colts have also been in good form, with experienced duo Murray Goodwin and Cruize Ciallella perennial match-winners. Dark horse: If Eaton are able to rekindle their mojo, they could give Colts and Leschenault problems in either a preliminary or grand final, due to their wealth of representative experience. In the hunt: Donnybrook, and to a lesser extent Marist, still have a chance to make the top-four if results go their way on the final day. Fittingly, both sides meet at Egan Park on Saturday. Keep an eye on: How Leschenault handle challenging situations during their finals matches. This group in particular has a lot of belief in each other and do not appear fazed by the club’s past miscues in finals matches. Women’s A-Grade Contenders: Although they finished on top, Donnybrook will be on red alert should Colts, who beat them last Sunday, knock off Marist in the preliminary final. So far this season, only Colts have been able to seriously challenge the Stephanie Jolly-inspired Dons. Dark horse: If reigning premiers Marist are able to cause an upset over Colts in the preliminary final, they have the experience and fierce motivation to upset Donnybrook two years in a row on grand final day. Keep an eye on: Colts bowler Emma Norrish, who has seven multiple-wicket hauls this season. Second grade Contenders: Harvey-Benger, who have already sewn up the minor premiership, have been extremely consistent all season and head into the finals as premiership favourites. With a solid batting card led by Haydn Jones and Kyle Hickman, the league leaders have put together a series of defendable targets, however they did cop a heavy loss against Colts last Saturday. Dark horses: If Marist and Colts are able to have some first grade-experienced players — particularly bowlers — available for selection, they have every chance of giving Harvey-Benger something to think about. In the hunt: The top-four of Harvey-Benger, Leschenault, Colts and Marist is locked in. Keep an eye on: Colts youngster Ashton Goodwin who is averaging 33 runs with the bat and contributing across all three phases. Third grade Contenders: Colts and Capel have been at the forefront all season, with both sides filled with quality players. Dark horses: Any team possessing the experience of Marist duo Strath Papandroulakis and Paul Tomasi should never be discounted when games are played for keeps. In the hunt: The top-four of Colts, Capel, Rising Stars and Marist is locked in. Keep an eye on: Blues youngster Finn Marshall. A hard-working teenager with a positive attitude, Marshall could have a memorable finals series with the ball. Fourth grade Contenders: Harvey-Benger are the team to beat out on top. Dark horses: Anyone from second-placed Colts to Leschenault if they fire up on any given Saturday. In the hunt: Eaton (fourth) along with Dardanup (fifth) and Leschenault (sixth) are all still in contention for fourth spot heading into the final round. Fittingly, Eaton play Leschenault, while Dardanup take on second-bottom Marist. Given how close all sides are, it could come down other variables, such as wickets lost and percentage. Keep an eye on: Johnny Crognale’s brilliance for the league leaders. To date, he has notched up seven half centuries. Fifth grade Contenders: In a very even competition, there is no genuine standout this season. In the hunt: Colts (23 points), behind Burekup in fifth spot, must defeat Dalyellup by a bonus point and hope Marist do them a favour against the Bees in Burekup. Keep an eye on: Burekup, who are keen to bring another BDCA title back to their “hive” off the South Western Highway.