GSCA 2023-24: Broomehill firmly set on premiership three-peat against red-hot Tambellup

Excitement is building in Broomehill’s camp as they prepare to lock horns with Tambellup in the Great Southern Cricket Association grand final at their home ground on Saturday. Minor premiers Broomehill enter the decider on the back of 12 wins from their past 13 matches, including a seven-wicket triumph over Kojonup in the qualifying final last Saturday, and are the undeniable favourites heading into the decider. However, they must see off a red-hot Tambellup outfit who have won their past five matches, including two terrific do-or-die finals victories at the weekend. The hosts have won the past two GSCA premierships and Broomehill skipper James Barritt said his side has had their eye firmly on this fixture since round one. “The group is very excited and is up for the challenge,” he said. “Going three-straight has been the aim from the start of the season. “We want it and we must play our role for the team if we are to beat Tambellup.” Broomehill will welcome back talented middle-order bat Kyle Potter into the XI for the title showdown. Keeping his cards close to his chest, Barritt refused to indulge the Great Southern Herald on how his side can beat Tambellup, simply stating “we will have to wait and see.” The last time the two sides met was in round 10 where Broomehill emerged victorious with a gripping one-wicket win, proving their grand final rivals had come a long way since their eight-wicket defeat in their first encounter in round five. Tambellup captain Flynn Cristinelli firmly believes this team is poised to end Broomehill’s reign at the top and steadfast in their determination to script their own “underdog” story. “The vibe is really positive around the group, the lads are up and about and keen to have a real crack after two convincing wins on the weekend,” Cristinelli said. “Yeah of course there is (a big underdog feeling), they’ve been the best side all year and stack a lot of talent. “Our best cricket stacks up against anyone, so if we can implement that on Saturday, that will go a long way towards securing a win.” Cristinelli said he hoped his side could ride their recent good form into Saturday and would enter the fixture with a full-strength team. “There isn’t a real focus heading into the grand final, nothing really changes, we played some really good cricket over the weekend so will be aiming to carry that through,” he said. “Yeah we’re at full strength, Bayley Drew will come back into the team because he missed the weekend’s fixture with work commitments.” The match begins at noon on Saturday at Broomehill Sporting Complex.