THE Northern Districts Rebels are into this year’s North Coast Cricket Council’s Premier League grand final after a 92-run victory against Valleys Cricket in their preliminary final at Phillip Hughes Oval.

The Rebels will take on Sawtell for the North Coast Cricket Council’s Premier League title in this weekend’s grand final; a two-day match at Richardson Park.

The Rebels are yet to beat Sawtell this season, with Sawtell having beaten them twice including the T20 final.

Their most recent meeting was a two-day match last month which was a draw due to wet weather.

Sawtell will be looking for back-to-back Premier League titles, while the Rebels will be out to win their first Premier League title.

The Rebels qualified for this season’s grand final with an impressive victory against Valleys Cricket.

The Rebels bowled out Valleys for 139, as Lachlan Carlyle rose to the occasion with a super spell of 7/59 from his 20.3 overs helping his side book a grand final berth.

The Rebels then posted a commanding total of 7/231 in their preliminary final at Macksville.

Coming in with his side at 5/140, Simon Donald produced a valuable knock of 59 not out, while Taj Dosanjh was next best with a captain’s knock of 45.

Rebels captain Taj Dosanjh praised the bowling efforts of man of the match Lachlan Carlyle after taking 7 wickets.

“That was the best I’ve seen Lachlan bowl and he belted them,” he said.

“It was very impressive and consistent.”

Despite what was on the line, Dosanjh told News Of The Area his side still maintained a relaxed demeanour.

“What I was most pleased about was the fact that we had a ton of fun over the weekend,” he said.

“We had lots of laughs and banter and the game was played in good spirits.

“We still played hard cricket, but we played it with plenty of inner comedy.”

Dosanjh was under no illusion of the challenge which awaited his side as they prepared to play the minor premiers in the grand final.

“It will be tough cricket against Sawtell, as they have been there many times,” he said.

“We will just need to turn up and play our developing game.”

 

By Aiden BURGESS