By Anthony Macdonald
TWO convincing finals win in the past fortnight has Robertson brimming with confidence ahead of tomorrow's first-grade grand final against Tully Park.
Captain Dean Roxburgh has called on his team to show the same passion and enthusiasm that helped them knock off minor premier Moss Vale last week and highly-favoured Workers the week before.
In last week's all-Highlands preliminary final, Robertson wanted the result more than their opponents and it was this willingness combined with shrewd leadership and skilful play that has seen them through to the decider.
Roxburgh's wary of playing Tully Park away, but the Robertson boys have had some recent success in Goulburn.
Two weeks ago they recorded a dominant win at Kenmore Oval.
"Tully Park have been a good side for the past five years and we expect a tough match," Roxburgh said.
"If our boys show the heart and take to the field the same way and play the unbelievable cricket like we did last week then we can knock them off."
Roxburgh nominated senior players Ben Buffett, Aaron de Jager and himself to set the platform for the win.
Buffett has been in fine form of late with 179 runs and nine wickets in the semi-finals so far.
"Myself, de Jager and Buffett have all done well at times throughout the year but we're due to do well together," he said.
"And if we can step up then we'll to beat."
Crucial to Robertson's plight is a selection meeting held late last night.
With Robertson's second-grade team also in the grand-final this weekend, the spots of regular second-grad players Nathan Ring and James Hart will be discussed.
Ring and Hart played a significant role in last week's first-grade win and the News believes the pair will be given the choice between playing in firsts or seconds.
Key to Robertson's chances will be their ability to restrict Tully trio Jason Rowlings, Mik Webber and Brad Smith.
Rowlings alone has scored 561 runs at an average of 51 this season.
---
MOSS VALE Waratahs will square off against Jemmy Moss in the third grade cricket final tomorrow after beating Mittagong by 24 runs at Taylor Avenue last Saturday.
The Waratahs batted first and were well poised at 3-145 in the 26th over before a middle-order collapse saw them lose three wickets for no runs.
But a rear guard action from the Tahs saw them reach 230 at the end of their overs.
Peter Richards top scored with 74. The tall left-hander belted the Mittagong bowlers to all corners of the ground before he was caught off the bowling of B Molloy.
Mittagong started their chase poorly before a large third wicket partnership between Mark Williams and Chris Stalling carried Mittagong to 3-110 at the drinks break.
After the break Moss Vale took a steady stream of Mittagong wickets to have them all out for 206 in the 39th over.
The Tahs will face a tougher task against Jemmy Moss tomorrow.
Defending champions Jemmy Moss have beaten Moss Vale all three times the teams have met this year.
Although the Waratahs did come close to beating the minor premier in the last round of the season proper.
On that occasion Moss Vale set Jemmy Moss 179 for victory and looked to be in the dominant position when they captured the early wickets of Ryan Maughan and Kevin Parsons.
But big-hitting Matt Conquest and L Elbourne scored half centuries to get Jemmy Moss home.
Email a friend