By MATT NICHOLLS
HILLGROVE and City could be declared joint winners of the Armidale District Cricket Association first grade premiership if rain washes out Saturday’s grand final.
No reserve day was allocated for the grand final, meaning if it continues to rain this week as forecast, the premiership decider could be abandoned.
Association president Mike Porter said everything possible would be done to have the pitch at the New England Mutual Sportsground ready for Saturday.
“It’s not ideal not to have a reserve day, but hopefully we can still get a game in on Saturday,” Porter said.
Hillgrove captain Brad King and City skipper Stephen Butler said they would both rather play the grand final and lose, rather than not play and be declared joint winners.
“If we get washed out we’ll accept that, but I would definitely rather play and have an opportunity to win the premiership on merit,” Butler said.
Should the game go ahead, the grand final could be as tense as last summer’s decider, when Hillgrove pipped City by one run in a thriller.
“Both teams are evenly matched and it always comes down to who performs better on the day,” King said.
The Colts skipper is no certainty to play, either.
King tore a calf muscle in round 17 and said he was only a 50/50 chance of getting on the park.
“I’d love to be out there, but I want to do the right thing by the team as well,” he said.
Hillgrove will also be without veteran quick Cameron Wood, who is overseas.
City has a tough decision to make at the selection table, with Paul Woodford Jnr set to return from Brisbane for the grand final.
“One bloke will miss out for Paul,” Butler said.
“I think Paul has earned his place. In five innings this season he’s made 200-odd runs.”
It appears likely one of either Christian Girard or Stephen Tanner will miss out.
“That decision will be made later in the week, and it will be a tough one,” Butler said.
GRAND FINAL SQUADS
CITY: Stephen Butler (c), Andrew Brownlie, Hugh Reckord, Christian Girard, Brad Smith, Stephen Tanner, Karl Triebe, Matt Morrow, Derek Schneider, Andrew Skinner, Adam Sweeny.
HILLGROVE: Brad King (c), Michael Dawson, Josh Croft, Matt Schaefer, Tom Armitage, Alexander Brown, Mitch Moore, Scott Brennan, Lochie Elks, Harrison King, Steve Haydon, Andrew Curry.
