PORT Lincoln will play in their fourth Henderson Shield final in the last five seasons and the catch cry this time could well be "yes we can."
Eastern Eyre, who beat Port Lincoln in the 2005/06 Henderson Shield final, may respond with "no you can't.
It all adds up to a great competitive final to be played on Sunday, February 21 in Cleve.
Eastern Eyre has great depth in both batting and bowling and will have six past and present EP players, starting with captain Daniel Lee, an opening batsman and wicket keeper who should be called 100 in view of his century making season.
Kerrin Siebert, Carl Jaeschke, current EP captain who has also represented SA country, Damon Ramsey, Dylan Jenner and Nathan Johnson have all represented EP and Chris Beatty has represented the Upper North.
The Eastern Eyre young guns of Jake Stutley, Elliot Claxton and Johnny Noble are playing great cricket and cricket on the EP will hear a lot more about this talented trio.
Eastern Eyre's likely opening bowlers, Kerrin Siebert and Chris Beatty, will be a big challenge to Port Lincoln.
Ben Smith will captain Port Lincoln and has proved his value as a captain with his vast experience representing SA Country several times and as a former EP captain.
The rest of the side is expected to be: D. Colman, S. Orchard, R. Puckridge, C. Reidy, T. Keeley, M. Pomeroy, C. Dorward, R. Whillas, A. Gray and S. Stockham.
B grade final
Eastern Eyre will play Tumby Bay in their third consecutive final having lost their previous two appearances. The venue is still to be named.
Country carnival
Eyre Peninsula had a good start to the annual country carnival in Adelaide on Monday with a win over Murray Districts/Barrier.
Port Lincoln's Ben Smith scored 71 and Great Flinders cricketer Brad Hazelgrove made 70.
EP made 7/228 off 50 overs while Murray Districts/Barrier made 9/212 off 50.
Grand Tasman Legends Award
Records are made to be broken and Handy Andy Woolford showed how with a brilliant 151 not out that included 14 boundaries and seven sixes.
He was reportedly as mean as a junk yard dog, giving no chances.
Troy "Pepper" Sargeant also had a good all round match with 37 runs and 3/23 off 10 overs.
Sargeant ended a good partnership between Rob Murdoch (43) and Peter Shanley (22) when he bowled Shanley.
From that point on it was all over for the Tasman Red Caps.
Charlton's Corey Stephens chanced his luck in making 55 runs only to see his side lose the match in the 49th over.
The River's Kerry O'Leary led his team's dismantling of SES, taking 4/14 off 8.4 overs.
All good efforts worthy of praise but short of Handy Andy's record breaking innings and he is this week's legend.
Harry's Pizza Award
Shannon Little's award is number one on the charts with the Buzzing Bees, so much so that one keeps getting advised on who or whom should win it.
Taking all the gossip into consideration the judge's decision went to a player that rescued his team from defeat and that was Kieran Vermeulen for South who batted at number six to steer his team to a win, making 50 not out.
Wayback's Brenton Hammond may be a bit unlucky as he opened the innings to make 66 in passing Tasman's 124 by the 20th over; a classic innings.
The River's Nick Harris made 71 runs in a losing side and while top scoring for the round the pizza award is all about winning - keep it up Nick, you're on the list.
Great Northern Hotel Award
Riley Hains from Tasman Red retired on 23. Young gun Luke Orbons seems to be adjusting to junior colts score to 25 not out also for Reds.
New player for Lincoln South Jake Gooder impressed, batting right through the innings to be 42 not out.
The award this week goes to Scott Forrest from Tasman Red who retired on 54 to guide his side to victory, well done Scott.
Coles Team Player Award
Some impressive bowling figures from Saturday.
Ziek Kay again impressed for Wayback, taking 3/19, Christian Fletcher from SES bowled well to finish with 3/9 from his three overs and Max Bail took 5/8 against the strong Tassie White side.
The award this week goes to Jack Humphries from Tasman White who took 5/12, which included a hat-trick - well done Jack, keep bowling at those stumps.
B grade program
SES v Wayback at Wangary; Tasman v Charlton at the high school, umpire: Roy Todd; and South v Tod River at Ravendale, umpire: M. Lakin.
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