Reigning premier Willunga will face off against Port Elliot in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) Grand Final this weekend at the magnificent Port Elliot Oval. Willunga are looking for their third ‘A’ grade premiership in four seasons, while Port Elliot are searching for their first GSCA ‘A’ grade title. Willunga qualified for the decider with a 46-run victory in the ‘double chance’ semi-final against Encounter Bay. Port Elliot has won two ‘sudden death’ finals against Noarlunga and Encounter Bay to earn their spot in the last game of the season. Willunga has won 22 consecutive matches, including two victories against the Bloods in 2020/21, while Port Elliot, who were winless through the first four rounds, have hit form at the right time of the season.

Willunga has match winners throughout their lineup with Simon Roberts having another stellar season with 35 wickets (average 7.54) and 201 runs (average 67.00). He has been ably supported by all-rounder Joel Docking who has had a career-best season with 383 runs (42.56) and 14 wickets (14.14). Skipper Luke Harding (199 runs & 16 wickets), Tye McIvor (13 wickets) and Luke Goldner (160 runs & 12 wickets) have had consistent seasons, while the ‘ace in the pack’ could be opening bowler Sean McIvor, who has only bowled 31 overs for the season and taken three wickets.

Port Elliot have match winners of their own with the dangerous Colby Whitbourne scoring 318 runs (26.50) for the season. Skipper Brodie Whitbourne (257 runs), Joel Harris (230 runs) and Ben Griffiths (180 runs) round out a solid top-six for the Bloods. Veteran Simon Donaldson has been as consistent as ever with 19 wickets (12.53), while teenager Liam Harris (11 wickets), Ben Martin (9 wickets), Colby Whitbourne (8 wickets) and Ben Griffiths (6 wickets) complete a good and varied bowling attack.

“We've had a solid season so far and done what's been required to get us to the Grand Final,” said Willunga skipper Luke Harding. “We don't shy away from wanting to be the best, but it means nothing unless we can win this weekend. The most pleasing thing is that we will have our full side available for the first time this season.

“Our strength is our depth of talent and experience. All of our players have been here before so we know what it takes to win. Especially against a young Port Elliot side who haven't always dealt well with the extra pace of Sean McIvor and Luke Goldner so that will challenge them from the start. But our batting is what really sets us apart as we bat down to number 11 so sides know that it's not just two or three wickets that are needed, it's 10. If we can post 180+ like we have previously, that will be a great platform for the likes of Goldner, the McIvor brothers (Sean & Tye) and Simon Roberts to go to work with the ball.

“Port Elliot have very good bowlers and are quick in the field so that will be the biggest threat. Simon Donaldson, Ben Martin and Ben Griffiths will all challenge our batsmen so we need to make sure we're patient, like we were in the semi-final, and set the platform for our middle order.”

“If you'd asked us three years ago, no one would have expected us to be in a Grand Final,” said Port Elliot skipper Brodie Whitbourne. "Seven out of the 11 players in the Grand Final team have come through from our junior grades into the ‘A’ Grade and four of them now have more than 150 matches for the club. 

“It's the first Grand Final for many of our players, and the first for our ‘A’ Grade since 1976/77. We have continued to mature as a group, particularly from the start of this season, and we will give it a red hot crack! The fielding has been great, and there's been excellent progress from players such as Liam Harris, whose efforts with the ball have improved greatly, particularly in the last few weeks.”

It should be a cracking weekend of local cricket with six grand finals across the senior and junior grades. Five of them will be played in close proximity to each other at Port Elliot, Encounter Bay and Victor Harbor, while the C1 decider will take place at picturesque Rapid Bay. 

‘A’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Willunga v Port Elliot (Port Elliot)

‘B’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Myponga v Noarlunga (Encounter Bay)

‘C1’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21)

Willunga Red v Goolwa (Rapid Bay)

‘C2’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21)

Rapid Bay v Encounter Bay (Victor Harbor)

Senior Colts Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Yankalilla v Noarlunga (Port Elliot)

Junior Colts Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Port Elliot v Noarlunga (Victor Harbor)