Longford to take on Bracknell in women's TCL grand final

But big sister Longford stands in the way of a dream Redlegs' maiden season. 

Several former Longford players have added a bit more stoush to the Twenty20 clash after crossing over in the offseason to strengthen Bracknell's first-ever side.

Longford's leader Stacey Norton-Smith was happy to play up a rivalry for Sunday's grand final that historically has escalated between the nearby towns in just football. 

"It's going to be a tight game, as a whole heap of the Bracknell team had moved from Longford," she said.

"So there is always that sort of intense rivalry there."

The Tigers have won two of the three games, including an earlier final that have all come down to the final over.

Norton-Smith's side has lost twice all season, but the playing coach is surprised how well the side has gelled since the season's first ball.

The mature 17-year-old believes her teammates have turned around into "completely different cricketers".

"We thought this would be a rebuilding sort of year because we have a lot of players who aren't cricketers, but are there for the social side of things," Norton-Smith said.

"We started off really well, so it's been a nice stepping stone for us the grand final."

Bracknell skipper Cassie Walker was not shy to admit she had no expectations in reaching the final game.

The Redlegs enter with a side half packed with rookies.

"We started out rough and we've worked our way to the grand final," she said. "So I think they should already be pretty proud of themselves."  

Walker also felt there was no pressure to win.

"We're going into the game not looking at whom we're playing," she said. "We're just going to play our own game and take it as it comes."

Bracknell is also playing in the TCL A-Reserve grand final on the Saturday.

So after coming so close to claiming NTFA glory, Walker predicts celebrations will be "pretty big" should the town pull off a new double.

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