mmg.com.au

The inaugural Goulburn Murray Cricket premiership will be at Rochester, in a battle between Rochester United and Rochester Tigers.

United and Tigers will play at Windridge Oval on the weekend to decide the A grade title after both sides won their respective preliminary finals on Sunday.

United contested the past two Campaspe Cricket Association grand finals with limited success, drawing last season’s final and losing in 2010-11 — both against Moama.

The Tigers have not reached the big dance since 2007-08, when they too lost against Moama.

Tigers’ president Justin Cleary said it was an outstanding achievement to have two Rochester clubs competing in the grand final.

‘‘Rochester should be very proud of its cricket culture,’’ he said.

‘‘It would mean, firstly, that Rochester is guaranteed an A grade cricket premiership since the Tigers’ last one (in 1992-93).

‘‘It’s also a fantastic opportunity for locals to support the game and see the talent Rochester has to offer, particularly to see two quality English cricketers go head-to-head.’’

United’s Colin Griggs is one Englishman that set the league alight, taking seven wickets in his side’s win against Echuca on the weekend to underline his league bowling award.

Tigers’ Tim Maxfield is the other Briton to cause a stir in GMC, recording his fourth half-century of the season against Moama on the weekend to strengthen his title as the league’s best batsman.

United president Brendan Martin echoed Cleary’s remarks, saying it was fantastic to see two Rochester sides competing for the premiership.

‘‘With the new competition we’ve tried to set the bench mark with the way we play our cricket,’’ he said.

‘‘We recruited players to better our side, so hopefully we can go one better than the last couple of years.’’

Martin said the match held extra significance due to the opposition.

‘‘Bragging rights are up for grabs for the next 12 months at least,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t think the two sides ever met in the old CCA competition, which is about 25 years.’’

United finished the season in second place with seven wins and two losses before losing its semi-final against Moama by 90 runs.

The side then rebounded to defeat Echuca outright in the preliminary final.

The Tigers finished in fourth spot with six wins and four losses, but advanced to the grand final with straight wins against Tongala and Moama.

The grand final will allow for 100 overs to be played each day, with play starting on Saturday at 11am and continuing on Sunday at 11am.

Cricket umpire appointments

A grade: Rochester Tigers v Rochester United (Benny Gigliotti and Gary Mckenzie).

B grade: Echuca v Ky Fire Brigade (Gary Schubach and Peter Ferrier).

C grade: Echuca v BLU (Russell Barrett and Glenn Griffiths.

D grade: Girgarre v Stanhope (Ian Foyster and Ron Macleod).