Yass has a golden opportunity on Sunday to cement itself as one of the competition’s most dominant teams when they host the final of the Northern Riverina based cricket competition for a third year running.

The defending champion’s run to the final has been straightforward all though far from ideal. Of the five scheduled games in season 2009/10, Yass has been required to play just three, with Wagga and Temora surrendering their regular round matches.

Yass has managed to win two matches and tie one, more-than-enough to secure top spot with maximum points handed out after the forfeited games.

An undefeated run that dates back to 2007 will count for little on Sunday. If anything, it’s likely to place more pressure on the Stribley Shield holders.

On Sunday the team came within a whisker of losing their first match in more than two years and at the same time fell short of a thrilling win. A wicket from the third last ball of the match prevented Yass from sealing an emphatic run chase and instead salvaged a draw for hosts Gundagai.

In the final match of the regular season, both teams not only had to contend with each other, but with the unnatural bounce of a synthetic pitch. Much-needed rain fell most of the week in Gundagai, dampening the turf wicket to the point that it was unplayable.

Players from both teams had to dispose of the spikes and lace-up the joggers for a contest fought on a man-made surface.

Gundagai appeared to be in ascendancy at the change of innings after compiling 9-269 from their 50 overs. David Brown took 3-46 from ten overs and skipper David Field 3-53.

The visitors were unperturbed by the required run rate of 5.4 and nearly used the 50 overs to perfection. Yass needed two runs to win with no spare batsmen in waiting prior to the last over.

A scampered single ruled out the possibility of losing, but a wicket on the fourth ball of the final over ended any hopes of a win. David Field top scored with 63, Andrew Swaffield managed 54 and Harry Rowe 44.

The run-chase will give the minor premiers the confidence to peel off runs should they be required to field first when Sunday’s game at Victoria Park begins at 10.30am.

The joy of last season’s win will soon be forgotten if Yass fail to close out their undefeated campaign on a high. Should they win on Sunday, their last three grand final wins will be made even sweeter.