University and Subiaco-Floreat hoping to defy poor Perth forecast to compete in WA Premier Cricket final

Cyclone Narelle, bearing down on Perth, is threatening to put a dampener on the weekend’s WA Premier Cricket grand final, but University and Subiaco-Floreat are raring to go for the decider. Up to 60mm of rain is being forecast for the first day of the two-day contest at the WACA Ground ahead of a better outlook for Sunday, when between 0-4mm of precipitation is expected. If a result is not possible, the minor-premier Students — who were toppled by the Lions on the first weekend of the finals but progressed to the second as the highest-ranked loser on the ladder — will be handed the flag. But star WA off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli said his side were desperate to win their second consecutive premiership out in the middle. “I love bowling so much that I just want to bowl. I want to get out there and play,” Rocchiccioli said. “I don’t think it’ll be too fun if we’re watching rain come down for two days. “The Perth forecast is unpredictable at the best of times. I think we’ll be preparing to play the game and just go from there, and hopefully the best team wins.” University will confront a white-hot Subiaco-Floreat outfit who have won their way through to the decider after finishing the home and away season in sixth. The Lions chased down 336 against Joondalup in the final game of the home and away season to secure their finals spot before beating the Students on the opening weekend of knockout cricket and overcoming a Fremantle outfit boasting Jhye Richardson in a low-scoring semifinal. Rocchiccioli’s WA teammate Jayden Goodwin said his side had drawn great confidence from their remarkable recent run. “We feel like we’re on an upwards (trajectory) and going really well and everyone’s peaking at the right time. If we get on, it’ll be a really good game,” Goodwin said. “Hopefully, the weather stays away, and we can get on. It’s a bit hard to believe there’s going to be a cyclone.” The perception may be that State-contracted players no longer need to bother with competing in the level below, but Rocchiccioli and Goodwin have made a combined 27 appearances across formats for their clubs so far this season. And the pair both said they treated Premier Cricket just as seriously as lining up for WA. “The club means so much to me. Without them, I’m not here, I’m not a State-contracted player, I’m not having the years that I’ve had without them putting the time and effort into me in my formative years,” Rocchiccioli said. “The last two games I’ve played, I’ve bowled 40 and 36 (overs). I certainly enjoy playing heaps of grade cricket and giving back as much as I can.” “It’s where you start your cricket to get to the State stuff . . . it’s always good to play,” Goodwin added.