Goooddd Morning Braidwood. The finals have arrived and in the first time in a mighty while the Blues are partaking in the series. What a glorious time it is. Having won outright and collecting maximum points against Tuross last week your favourite cricket team came 2nd in the competition and earned a home semi final. And as the points for the weekend were tallied up we found out who our opponents would be. Broulee, a side we beat convincingly the last time we met, but we knew they would be tough due to the dangerous batters they possessed. But 2 day cricket is a funny game and like the good ol' cliché says, "It's not over till the fat lady sings". Let's begin shall we.

The sun shone down and bathed us in its unforgiving heat, and if that wasn't enough then the wind that carried its warmth certainly made the boys keen to field in the conditions... not. Luckily Captain Hayward won the toss and elected to bat, sending Golly and Southy out into the heat and onto the immaculate looking "Rec", never before had I seen the field look as fast as I did that day.

Golly and Southy got out to a good start and their partnership wasn't broken till the 9th over when Southy was bowled out for 14. I then went out to join Golly but calamity struck me not long after I was at the crease and Southy was called back out to be my runner due to an ankle injury that left me hopping like a kangaroo. Golly and I then shared a fairly solid partnership where Gol scored all the runs before he was stumped smartly after drinks getting out for a well earned 35. I then went for 11 before Glass and Walker formed a nice little connection. Braidwood's quickest runners between the wickets worked the ball around, Walker hitting four 4's and four singles in his score of 20 before he was bowled. Hayward went for a little stroll to the crease but returned to the pavilion after 5 overs, he was quickly followed by Glassy (24) who was caught on the boundary, unlucky seeing as though the bloke need two snaps to catch the ball. Pete Hazel (26) and McClure (17) then stood up, especially Rion who took an aggressive approach and smacked the ball senseless before he was caught, gliding the ball nicely to the Broulee fielder who must have thought Christmas had come early as he gobbled up the catch. Pete continued to go strong as he always does watching as Atkins went for 9, although he got out 2nd last, leaving it up to Mundy (Not out 3) and Haggis (1) to clear up the end. The Blues finishing up all out for 184 after batting most of the day with 62 overs down. Not a bad total, but considering the conditions the Blues were disappointed that all the players that got starts could not go on with their efforts.

12th man Corey Pont replaced me as I stuck the ankle on some ice and watched the game from the stands, getting a whole new insight into the game they play in heaven. It started off well enough with Golly getting a wicket with his 2nd ball in his 1st over, a bloody good start knowing that the batsmen he had got out could have done some damage if he had the chance, but thanks to Gol's pace and Glassy's safe gloves we had our 1st wicket without a run on the board, from there though it was a bit quiet, as the Blues and the supporters in the crowd watched as the remaining opener of Broulee take it to our attack. Unforgiving he was, taking what would have been a great ball and turning it his own creation, sending the poor little piece of leather to the boundary on more than one occasion.

Golly and Glassy then combined again for the Blues 2nd wicket in the 15th over, phew, respite had arrived. Ok, everyone got their breath back? Oh, good, who wants another one? Yes, I was saying that too, but unfortunately it was not to be and as I watched on hopelessly I wondered if the still remaining opener would ever get out, my answer, no. The Blues struggled on though and their hard work paid off as Haggis worked with that man behind the stumps again to get a wicket on the final ball of the day, well done Haggis, you're an inspiration to us all. Broulee had scored 3/85, not a bad start, but not a good one either, still needing another 100 runs to overtake our score and secure those precious 1st innings points. Bowling figures for the Blues this week: Golly 2/21 off 9, sharp as always, Hazel 0/19 off 5, unlucky not to get 1, McClure 0/10 off 5, kept cool considering the rampaging opener looking to hit, South 0/15 off 2, maybe next week Jimmy, Haggis 1/18 off 3, good man Haggis.

Hmm, can we get up next week? Do you want to know before my next report? Well, it's easy... Come down to the Rec this Saturday and see for yourself. Support, support, support, this is all that I ask for. Come down and see your team play one last time before it's all over, not that I'm saying we're going to lose, positive thoughts people, but even if we win, we'll still most likely go down the coast, so yeah, come on and spend a nice afternoon watching the stars of your town. You know you want to. To those people who did come down and watch, thank you.

Well, Hawaiian shirt this goes to... well,...no one really messed up. Due to no one doing anything wrong I'm afraid that the shirt might have to go to Corey for his hard drop catch, sorry Punter.

Take a good look at Braidwood's squad for the finals. Until next time Braidwood this has been another report from your local journo,

Brendan Maher, signing off.