STANDING in Napoleons-Sebastopol’s way for Twenty20 glory today is an outfit finely tuned in the game’s shortened format.
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Glory for Naps-Sebas will mean stamping out Brighton District’s attempt for a Twenty20 title hat-trick in Victorian Women’s Cricket Association premier division two at St Kilda this afternoon.
Naps-Sebas topped the division ladder, winning nine of 10 matches to claim its final spot.
Brighton District has the experience in winning when it counts most – the final.
Naps’ captain-coach Sara Cavanagh said her team was ready for the challenge.
“Brighton is always a strong competitor and Naps will approach the game the way it approaches every game, with strong team emphasis drawing on every player to do her part,” Cavanagh said.
“We will be aiming for some early breakthrough wickets to give ourself a chance of defeating the reigning Twenty20 premiers.
“Tight bowling and smart batting will be the key if we hope to stop Brighton’s back-to-back-to-back chances.
“Twenty20 format is a tough game. Anything can happen in a Twenty20 match.”
Sixteen-year-old young guns Jacinta Goodger and Emma Lynch will line up in their first premier seconds Twenty20 final with Naps-Sebas, which also boasts a wealth of experience.
Naps-Sebas, the only regional team in the Melbourne-based premier seconds, is vying for a fourth-consecutive one-day premiership.
It sits second in overall stakes with one round to play, next week, before semi-finals.
But Cavanagh said the complete focus this week was Twenty20.
Brighton’s Georgie Dwyer said her team had enjoyed a fortunate run the past few years but Naps-Sebas would be a difficult test.
“We haven’t played them in Twenty20 this season but we’re certainly up for the challenge,” Dwyer said.
“It’s been a goal of ours now from the start of the season to win this competition.
“... our aim is also to have fun, no matter what we do. That has probably led to some good performances this season.”