By Tara Murray
Riddell was unsure what to expect this Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield season, but making a grand final wasn’t among the thoughts.
The Bombers had been relegated after finishing bottom of the Johnstone Shield last season and were in the middle of a rebuilding phase.
With a few players coming back to the club, the Bombers became one of the teams to beat this season.
On Saturday, they beat Harkness to win through to the grand final.
Coach Michael Day said they were quite excited to have made it this far.
“There’s a good feeling around the place,” he said. “We definitely could not have expected it.
“We couldn’t have hoped for anything better. If you had said that we would make finals we would have been pretty happy.
“I said to the boys at training, it’s already been a successful season with two sides playing finals.”
On Saturday, the Bombers were sent in on their home deck at Riddell Recreation Reserve.
They made 5-216 with all their top order making contributions. Luke Castle scored 66, while Matthew Darby made 64.
Day said they were happy with that total but were still wary of what Harkness could do with the bat.
“It’s a good score but our ground is nice to bat on these days,” he said. “Harkness was going along nicely.
“Their opening batter was batting well for quite a while. We were able to dig deep and it was nice to get the win on the board.”
Harkness was 2-107 before being bowled out for 185.
Hayden Castle and Harry Johnson took three wickets each for the Bombers.
With the match in hand late, the Bombers were able to give some others a go with the ball including 14-year-old Sophie Lindsay.
Day said Lindsay had played a good role around the club this year and deserved her opportunity to ball.
He said there would be some selection headaches on Thursday night ahead of the grand final.
“It will be a tough selection,” he said. “There’s some other names there that will be thrown in the hat.”
The Bombers will face Lancefield at Lancefield Park in the grand final on Saturday.
The two teams finished equal on points and one win apiece against each other this season.
Day said he was expecting a good grand final. Lancefield beat Rupertswood in the other semi final.
“They are a similar side,” he said, “They bat a bit and they bowl a bit with some good experienced heads.
“Hopefully it’s a really good game.”
The Bombers club south side fell short to Harkness in the grand final on Saturday.
Harkness made 9-213 with Riddell finishing 6-160 in reply.
