WISE HEAD, YOUNG SHOULDERS: Connor Matheson will need to be in top form if the Griffith under 16s are to claim the Warren Smith Cup on Sunday.
Cricket
THE representative experience of the Griffith under 16s side could give them the edge in Sunday's Warren Smith Cup final against Wagga, according to coach John Munro.
Griffith has never had its hands on this piece of silverware before, having dropped the inaugural decider two years ago to Albury.
But this batch of young players has been there and done that when it comes to representative cricket and are fully aware of what it will take to get the win over Wagga, Munro said.
"They've got to be focused on the job," he said. "We've got a really good group and most of them have played rep before. They know what it's about. Seven or eight were in the Murrumbidgee team that won the Riverina championships undefeated.
"Connor Matheson was captain of the Riverina under 16s in the Bradman Cup. Last year he and Tony Polkinghorne were in the Riverina under 17s side that won the state title.
"Hopefully all that experience can make the difference and stand us in good stead."
Griffith brushed aside Wagga by 115 runs the last time they met back in October, but Munro senses the visitors have strengthened since.
"They won their next two games fairly significantly and they've got two or three Riverina players as well. They'll be tough," he said.
But the obstacle for Munro's men will be their own form having not played since Christmas.
Only a handful of players Matheson, Polkinghorne, Matt Peruzzi and Logan Matheson have been playing local first-grade cricket, handing Wagga some advantage, he said.
"We're going in a bit cold. We haven't had much match practice," he said.
"But three or four of our guys have been active over the break and we've got all-round strength in the side.
"We've got a good top-order, some strong opening bowlers and two of the best spinners around in Blake Ritorto and Liam Greenaway."
