By BRAD PERRY

PLAYING finals cricket is uncharted territory for a young, inexperienced Loxton side but the team has adapted quickly to Twenty20 cricket and is hoping to win the club’s first title since 2000 in this weekend’s final against Berri.

Despite finishing top of the table in the shortest version of the game, Loxton goes into Saturday’s final as the underdog against a strong Berri side.

However, the team is up to the challenge, according to coach Andrew Duffield.

“It has been a long time since the club has reached a major final,” he said.

“Berri has a lot of good players.

“Each player they have is a key in Twenty20 cricket, if one doesn’t fire, another will.

“(However) we beat Berri over at Barmera in a tight game and proved to the playing group we can be competitive and beat the top side.”

Danyal Reynolds, Daniel Shawyer and Matthew Clifford will be among the major Berri threats.

Without winning a game in the 50 over format, Loxton is confident of pulling off victory against the odds.

“We set ourselves up at the start of the season to have a real crack at the Twenty20 competition,” Duffield said.

“The whole idea is that we want to win it but the way we have played our cricket this year is to be consistent and keep improving.”

It has been a long time between drinks for silverware in Loxton’s trophy cabinet, with the club’s last premiership 10 years ago.

Duffield admitted inexperience could be a factor in the final but said the team’s youngsters have played a major role in the side’s Twenty20 success so far this season.

“The club is in a really good position with its juniors,” he said.

“Players are feeling very good and are very excited.”

The experience of opening batsman Steve Inglis could be vital, while Duffield admitted his role as playing/coach is to keep charge of his players’ emotions.

“I see my role as keeping everybody level headed...that is what experience is,” he said.

Duffield said several Loxton players have fired in the Twenty20 competition this year and expects them to play their best this weekend.

“Sam Hoffmann has had a great tournament, (Ryan) ‘Goof’ Smith is bowling really well and Brad Walter has been really handy at the top of the order,” he said.

“Watch out for young Shaun Reilly with his leg spin.”

Encouraging the Riverland to get behind the Twenty20 final this Saturday, Duffield expects a big crowd on the club’s home turf.

“I hope it is a good game, I hope a lot of people are here to watch it,” he said.

The day of cricket kicks off with Waikerie/Ramco and Monash vying for third spot at 12.30pm, with the final starting at 3.30pm.

DJ Hoon and Bubba will be providing entertainment and each player will have a theme song when they go out to bat.

A marquee will be set up with food and drinks and Elders is placing signs around the oval as targets for the players to hit to win prizes.