Mount Lofty will host Kangarilla in the Hills Cricket Association preliminary final at Heathfield on Saturday with the winner to face Meadows in the grand final on Saturday March 20th. Kangarilla will enter the clash full of confidence following a four-wicket victory in the ‘knockout’ semi-final against Aldgate. Mount Lofty entered the finals series on the back of four consecutive wins before falling to Meadows last week in the ‘double chance’ semi-final. The two teams clashed twice during the season with Mount Lofty winning back in round one by three wickets before their round eight clash at Kangarilla was washed out after just 6.5 overs of play. Kangarilla’s bowling attack were in excellent form in their semi-final win over Aldgate and Ben Evans, Che Martinsen, Steve Featherstone, Jack Evans and Ryan Grimmond have combined for 89 wickets this season. ‘Kangies’ rely heavily on Featherstone (382 runs) and Cole Davy (379 runs) with the bat and they’ll need some more contributors if they are to get the win against the Redcaps. Davy has been on fire recently with 277 runs (46.17) in his past six games.

Mount Lofty made a good start to their big run chase against Meadows in their semi-final but couldn’t maintain their push for victory against the tight Bulldogs attack. Jordan Neis-Beer (308 runs) is the ‘glue’ that holds the batting lineup together and he is complemented by the talented James Kittel-Neill (263 runs) and Josh Healey (243 runs). Aaron Smith should be back this week after missing the semi-final and he will be a handy inclusion with both bat and ball. Smith (19 wickets), Kittel-Neill (15 wickets) and opening bowler Adam Carthew (14 wickets) hold the key to the Redcaps with the ball and Carthew’s battle with Cole Davy at the top of the order could be pivotal to the outcome of the cut-throat preliminary final.

There will be a full wrap of the A1 preliminary final on the Fleurieu App on Monday along with scores from the A2 and A3 grand finals.

‘A1’ Grade Preliminary Final (13/3/21)

Mount Lofty v Kangarilla (Heathfield)

‘A2’ Grade Grand Final (13/3/21)

Bridgewater v Aldgate (Bridgewater)

‘A3’ Grade Grand Final (13/3/21)

Aldgate v Scott Creek Ironbank (Aldgate)

*All games are 40-overs per side and start at 1.00pm