The Rawdon Vale-Cavaliers major semi is full of promise. These have been the two form teams throughout the season, dominating the regular competition rounds and finishing well clear of the third-placed Stroud, and both teams are ready for what should be an excellent game of cricket.

Rawdon Vale holds a 2-1 advantage in the three matches played between the two teams this year, Cavs having won the first encounter but Rawdon Vale striking back in the second and third, both in tight contests. Their most recent encounter, played just a fortnight ago, was a cracking match that was decided with just an over or so to spare, and another close finish can be expected this Saturday.

The winner of the major semi advances straight though to the grand final, to be played on March 27, while the loser will face the winner of the Stroud-Bowling Club Ford minor semi.

That match looms as an intriguing contest. Stroud, beaten grand finalists last year, have struggled for consistency this season and are yet to display last year’s form. They are up against the big improvers of this season, Bowling Club Ford, a team that has been getting better and better each week. The experienced trio of Brett Howard, Dave Fraser and Rod Summerville has helped the younger players in the team, and the side has performed really well, particularly in the second half of the season. While Stroud will start the match slight favourites, the Bowling Club Ford side will be ready to play and Stroud will know they have a battle on their hands. This is the elimination semi, such that the loser of this match can pack their whites away for the winter.

Players are reminded that should this weekend be washed-out, Rawdon Vale and Stroud will be deemed to have won due to their respective higher placings on the competition table and Bowling Club Ford will be gone for the season.

Both major and minor semis are to start at 1pm.

Final points table

Though both matches last Saturday were washed-out, this had no real impact on the table as the ordering of final positions was settled the previous week, with Rawdon Vale claiming the minor premiership and Soldiers