By Tara Murray
Lancefield will be painting the town yellow and black ahead of two Gisborne and District Cricket Association grand finals being held in the town this weekend.
The Tigers first and third XIs both won semi finals on Saturday to win through to home grand finals on Saturday.
Tigers coach Alan Sinclair said it was a pretty special feeling for the club.
“It’s a pretty good feeling to have two home grand finals, it’s something that the club has never done,” he said.
“We had some good numbers watching the game and we’re expecting the same this week. It’s good for the club and the community.”
The Tigers, who finished on top of the Jensen Shield ladder, hosted Rupertswood in a semi final on Saturday with a spot in the grand final on the line.
Lancefield won the toss and decided to send Rupo in, which proved to be the right decision.
Rupo finished its 40 overs, 7-145.
Cameron Osmond took 4-19 off his eight overs to be the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers.
Sinclair said while they would have taken that total, it was one that you were still nervous about.
“We were 4-70 at one stage before we were able to get some runs at the end,” he said. “We had a nice little partnership to get over the line.
Lachlan Mitchell finished 41 not out, while Sinclair was 40 not out at the end.
The win moves the Tigers into the grand final against Riddell.
The two teams finished equal on points and one win apiece against each other this season.
Sinclair said for many of the side it would be their first senior grand final.
“There’s four or five that have played in a grand final before,” he said. “The likes of Matthew Bowden and Luke Malone have played in a few.
“The younger group, it’s good for them to get that experience. I spoke with a few of them after the game to talk about it.”
Sinclair said he was expecting a good game in the grand final against the Bombers. He said it would be a challenge.
“They have been the team to beat,” he said. “We will take it as it comes. Hopefully we can play our best cricket.”
The Tigers club north side won its semi final against Woodend to make it through to the grand final.
The Tigers made 5-266, with Woodend finishing 9-173 in reply.
They will play Gisborne in the grand final on Saturday.
