FINALS time is in the air and a grand final berth is on the line this weekend in the Shoalhaven Hockey Competition.
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In a shorter season due to COVID-19 this year only the top three teams in both the men's and women's competitions will play finals.
There will be some great action at the Shoalhaven Regional Hockey Complex at the Bernie Regan Sporting Complex at North Nowra on Saturday (September 12).
Minor premiers in both the men and women, Berry, has progressed straight to the grand final, with the second and third placed teams to battle it out for the right to contest the season decider.
In the women's competition, Berry finished on top of the ladder on 23 points, scoring seven wins and two losses from its nine matches.
St Georges Basin was just a point behind on 22, with six wins, two losses and a draw.
Berry's superiority came in its ability to score goals slotting 39 goals into the back of the net, while conceding just 11.
Basin scored 18 goals for the season but let in fewer goals than the minor premiers, with just eight for the whole season, which is remarkable when you consider Berry scored four against them in last weekend's double header.
Allsorts and Shoalhaven Heads Mermaids were equal on 13 points, with Allsorts progressing to the finals with a better goal difference.
Allsorts scored one win and two draws for the season, scoring nine goals but allowed in 24 for a difference of -15.
Mermaids scored two wins and one draw, scoring 12 goals but allowed in 34 in for a difference of -22.
Basin and Allsorts have met on three occasions with Basin securing 3-nil and 2-nil wins in rounds three and six while the rescheduled round nine match in early August was a 2-all draw.
Ashlee Williams and Alison Reminis lead the Basin scoring with three goals each from their eight and nine games respectively, while Danielle Dolby, Maree McNeil, Erin Pavitt and Taylor Mathieson-Gee have each scored two.
Unfortunately McNeill suffered a broken knee two weeks ago and will miss the rest of the season.
For Allsorts Alyssa Phelan has been the leading scorer with two goals.
This clash will be tough, with the Basin expected to get the win.
The Williams girls, Ashlee, Kerryn and Melissa along with their mother Wendy in goals drive the side.
Add in the youthful Taylor Mathieson-Gee and the experience of Danielle Dolby, Karen Carter and Jenny Moffatt they will be hard to beat.
Allsorts is made up of a team of youngsters and although they haven't tasted a lot of success week in week out, you can't deny their willingness.
Each week they turn up and give their best.
Last week they were without leader Vanessa Phelan and if she is again unavailable this week that will leave a big hole, especially in defence and her guidance on the field..
Keeper Belinda Findley was on her game against Berry making a number of crucial saves, while sisters Alyssa and Yasmin Phelan. Cara Haupt and Cassandra Isherwood will have to step up.
In the men, Berry finished minor premiers on 25 points, two points clear of St Georges Basin.
Berry scored eight wins from their nine matches and just one loss, scoring 42 goals while conceding just seven.
Basin posted a seven wins, two loss record, scoring 30 goals and conceded just six.
Burrawang finished third on 15 points with three wins and six losses. The side scored 30 goals but conceded 28.
Shoalhaven Heads Pirates had a lean season, ending on eight points with eight losses and one forfeited game, scoring five goals with 66 against.
The Basin and Wang who face off in Saturday's finals showdown have met on three occasions, with the Basin taking the honours on each occasion - 1-nil in round three, 3-nil in round six and 5-nil in the rescheduled round nine on August 14.
The Basin has strength across the field - young Matty Rayner up front has been a revelation, leading the goalscoring with 11 goals from seven games, including five in last week's demolition of the Pirates.
Captain Lachlan Butfield, Daniel Chard, Daniel Troy and Tim Chard have each scored four goals for the year, while Brendan Gilmore, Adam Norton and Michael Jarrett each have multiple goals to their credit.
The Wang just haven't been the team that has been challenging the top of the Shoalhaven competition over the past five to six years.
However they cannot be taken lightly.
Robert Pearse leads the team's scoring with eight goals, while wily veteran Barry Donovan has six to his credit.
Saxon Macquarie and Blake Hill have also slotted multiple and when you throw the talented Mark Bisby into the mix, Wang will be up to the challenge.
On paper, you'd have to say Basin will win this game and should win comfortably, but you never know what sort of Wang team will turn up.
The women's final sees St Georges Basin face Allsorts at 1pm, while the men's final between St Georges Basin and Burrawang is at 2.30pm.