It all comes down to one game. The championships are up for grabs in all three Divisions this weekend as the defending champion Daredevils face off against the Bashers in Division 1, last year’s runners-up Digital Devils meet the Leopards in Division 2, and 2011 Division 3 champion Pudong Dream Team meet the League leaders Bashers CC.
Following a controversial washed out match against the DPR Hot Dogs in the Division 1 semi, the Bashers are back in the finals for the first time since 2009. They meet a strong Daredevils side that was top of the regular season ladder at 10-1-1; the only blights on the perfect record having been handed to them by the Bashers. For both teams, the finals will be the ultimate rubber match for the season.
Having defeated last year’s premiers, Pudong, in the semifinals, the Digital Devils will be looking to secure their first Division 2 championship on Sunday. Their opponent, the only team they were unable to defeat during the regular season, the Leopards. They last faced each other nearly four months ago on May 20, an eternity for Shanghai cricket where teams can see significant player turnover from month to month. The match Sunday will be a chance to see whether the Digital Devils can finally get over the hump and claim their first Division 2 crown, or if the Leopards will continue their dominance of the Digitals and take their second championship in three years.
Three teams battled each other for dominance all season in Division 3, and when all was said and done, the difference between first and second in the league standings came down to bonus points. Having lost out to the Bashers by the smallest of margins, defending champion Pudong Dream Team had to first play the DPR Hot Dogs before they could defend their title in the finals. Defeating the Hot Dogs last Sunday, they enter the finals in match winning form. The Bashers, having enjoyed a week off thanks to their superior league standing, will look to put Pudong back on its heels early as they strive to maintain their perfect record against the Dream Team and take home the Division 3 trophy.
The Finals
The Division 3 match between the Bashers and Pudong Dream Team begins at 9 am at SRFC Near. The Division 2 match between the Digital Devils and Leopards begins at 12 pm at SRFC Far. The Division 1 match between the Daredevils and Bashers begins at 12:15 pm at SRFC Near. Trophies will be awarded at the ground following each match.