Four remain in T20 Cup

FOUR of Geelong Cricket Association’s (GCA) top outfits will duel it out next Tuesday in the T20 Knockout Cup Semi-Finals.

Only GCA1 clubs remain, with Lara, North Geelong, Grovedale, and East Belmont all seeking the title for the first time.

The 2023-24 edition of the knockout tournament, now in its second year, began on November 21 when GCA1, GCA2, and GCA3 clubs participated in the opening Round of 32.

 

 

Lara will have the tall task of attempting to defeat the four-time reigning GCA1 premiers in North Geelong at Bisinella Oval following a Round of 32 win over last year’s T20 Cup runners-up St Peters, a Round of 16 win over Torquay, and a Quarter-Final win over fellow GCA1 one side Highton.

North Geelong continued its dominant 2023-24 form with an opening round win over Modewarre, then defeating Leopold before toppling Alexander Thomson in the Quarterfinals.

Magpies skipper Tom Mathieson said North Geelong had its sights on this year’s T20 Knockout Cup, as well as a fifth-consecutive GCA flag.

“Nearly our whole turf squad is available for the Semi-Final game against Lara,” Mathieson said.

“That was one of things we said early on to make sure everyone qualifies so we can play our best sides at the end of the tournament, there’s no point not to now.

“Especially if you’re a respected club there’s expectations to go out and win something like the T20 Cup, it would help make a bit of a statement as well.”

 

 

Grovedale and East Belmont headline the second Semi-Final next week as well at Grovedale Recreation Reserve.

Grovedale’s path to the semis went through Teesdale, Meredith, and Newtown & Chilwell, while East Belmont secured wins against Manifold Heights, Thomson, and inaugural T20 Cup champions St Joseph’s.

Both Semi-Finals will begin at 5pm. The GCA has not yet announced the venue or date of the T20 Cup Grand Final.