Brothers bag spot in semis

Brothers captain Craig Mackay heads into this weekend’s Division Two semi-final against Laidley confident his team can continue its winning run.

RAIN on Saturday boosted hopes and dashed dreams in the Ipswich Division Two competition.

It meant no result was possible in the match between leaders Laidley and third-placed Strollers.

Both teams suffered as Fassifern and Brothers claimed first innings wins on day one last week.

Fassifern’s win over Centrals Maroon handed them the minor premiership and direct entry into the final while Brothers’ first innings win over Centrals White lifted them above both Laidley and Strollers.

Brothers will host Laidley in the semi-final this weekend while Strollers miss out, finishing fourth.

“I’m very pleased,” Brothers skipper Craig Mackay said.

“It’s always good to make a final, especially a home one.”

Mackay acknowledged how critical getting points on day one was.

“Just in terms of chasing outright points, it was,” he said.

“You always have the weather in mind but it was not a major factor in us pushing for a result.

“The match just turned out that way.”

It was a win for positive, aggressive cricket.

“That’s the way we like to play,” Mackay said.

“We get more success being aggressive.”

Brothers head into the semi-final on the back of a four-game winning streak, which Mackay attributed to a settled line-up.

“Momentum is a good thing to have and winning is habit forming so we go in very confident,” he said.

It helps having a bowling line-up that includes Blaise Cooper, Troy Jackson and Isaac Creedy.

It was Creedy’s 6-39 that was chiefly responsible for Brothers’ win over Centrals White.

His 18 wickets in three matches have played a big part in their strong finish.

“Having Blaise back is a big bonus but Isaac Creedy has been getting all the wickets,” Mackay said

“He’s pretty sharp.

“Against Centrals all his wickets were out bowled so he’s at the stumps and he’s only 19 or 20.”

Jackson is ineligible to play finals so Brothers will welcome back Jarrod Lindley, who has been getting some top grade experience.

It is a potent attack, particularly now the Brethren’s batting seems to be coming good.

If there’s one area Mackay feels his team needs to improve, it is their catching which they’ll be working on this week, weather permitting.