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A season of triumph, despair and individual brilliance has graced the grounds of Goulburn Murray Cricket in its inaugural inception and will come to a close at Rochester this weekend.

Old foes Rochester United and Rochester Tigers will compete for the town’s first A grade premiership in 20 years when they meet in the grand final at Windridge Oval.

And while the achievement of an all-Rochester finale is a romantic one for the township, one can be assured the players will be doing their upmost to clinch victory.

For United, it is the side’s third straight appearance in an A grade grand final after last season’s controversial no result in the Campaspe Cricket Association following its loss in 2010-11.

The Tigers’ last appearance was in 2008 when the team was defeated by CCA powerhouse Moama.

The two sides have never met in a grand final, while Tiger veterans Brad Major and Justin Cleary will be hoping to add to their 1993 premierships.

Tigers captain Grant Wachter said it would mean a lot for the older players to relive that feeling once more.

‘‘I know those blokes are really excited. All the boys are really up and about to get the result,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s the first A grade grand final a lot of us have ever played in.’’

Wachter said the reality of playing against friends in the United team would not affect his players’ competitiveness.

United captain Dylan Cuttriss agreed, saying friendships would be set aside on the field.

‘‘At the end of the day there has to be a loser and a winner,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re looking forward to playing against their players. Neither side wants to lose to the other.’’

Throughout the season United has mesmerised with its dominant bowling performances, while the Tigers have dominated with the bat.

Wachter rated his side as the best batting side in the league, but it was the bowlers who he said could decide the match.

‘‘All year our bowling’s been one of our strengths and a bit underrated to be honest,’’ he said.

The first-year captain has had an indifferent lead up to the grand final, living with United player Nick O’Connor as the pair complete their tertiary studies in Bendigo.

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